Access to Justice and Remedies for Child Victims of Sexual Exploitation

With the aim of analysing all the aspects of the access to the criminal justice system, including remedies, for child victims of sexual exploitation, ECPAT International conducted extensive research from 2014 to 2016. The aim... [ view full abstract ]

With the aim of analysing all the aspects of the access to the criminal justice system, including remedies, for child victims of sexual exploitation, ECPAT International conducted extensive research from 2014 to 2016. The aim was to gather the insights and recommendations of child survivors, professionals and experts as well as a wealth of information from secondary data on relevant domestic legal standards, policies and practices. In 2017, ECPAT International finalised a tripartite research report: “Through the eyes of the Child: Barriers to Access to Justice and Remedies for Child Victims of Sexual Exploitation”; “Access to Recovery and Reintegration” and “Access to Compensation”.

This qualitative research study had three main objectives. Firstly, to analyse domestic law, policy and practice related to access to justice, compensation, recovery and reintegration for SEC victims and identify eventual legal loopholes and protection gaps. Secondly, to understand the unique barriers that affect the access and participation of child victims in the justice and care system and finally, to elaborate targeted recommendations in response to the identified barriers and challenges.

The study provides unique insight into the mind of child-victims and service providers and it offers a different approach to unravelling a complex web of barriers by informing the study countries’ policy of the distinct pros and cons of their current approaches to eliminating child sexual exploitation.

The learning from the study has already suggested practical strategies to draw on to assist child victims of sexual exploitation to pursue legal access and remedies which are not provided as required by law.