Combating sexual exploitation of children in South Africa

Despite the growing trend in commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC) in South Africa, however, it is difficult to obtain relevant data or actual figures on the scale of the challenge due to the lack of studies or... [ view full abstract ]

Despite the growing trend in commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC) in South Africa, however, it is difficult to obtain relevant data or actual figures on the scale of the challenge due to the lack of studies or comprehensive research into the prevalence or patterns of sexual exploitation of children. Furthermore, there are limited specific services for trafficked or sexually exploited children in the country. Often, children found in prostitution are ignored, sent to places of safety, detained or returned to their homes without adequate care.

The Multi-sectoral Stakeholder Coalition to Combat Sexual Exploitation of Children is a partnership between Child Welfare South Africa (CWSA) and ECPAT International to build strong, sustainable and effective national coalitions in South Africa. The five-year project, which started in 2016 aim to enhance data collation at community levels, build the capacity of the stakeholders in the sector, engage in comprehensive studies to determine the scale and extent of CSEC in the country and provide direct services to victims of sexual exploitation.

The unique feature of the project is that it combines advocacy and policy reviews with action research and systems strengthening by building the capacity of over 151 member organisations of CWSA, as well as other child protection agencies in the country to engage in advocacy and awareness to hold key agencies accountable for services, ensures enhanced data collation on an on-going basis on CSEC as well as ensures services are provided to victims.

The project identified that continuing as things have always been will not deliver the kind of support required to achieve the protection of victims of sexual exploitation. The critical element is that it involves all the stakeholders, including civil society, academia, government agencies and law enforcement to assume their role in the fight to protect children.