Amplifying Voices of Survivors of Childhood Sexual Exploitation: Global Survivors Forum
Mark Capaldi
ECPAT International
Mark Capaldi has worked directly with child-led organisations on issues such as street children and working children, and has also implemented projects on children in conflict with the law, on violence and abuse against children and addressing the vulnerability of children of internally displaced persons and as child migrants. Much of this work has been in South and East Asia, where Mark has lived for over 20 years where he worked with Concern Worldwide, PACT Inc. and Save the Children UK.
As Deputy Director of ECPAT International (2001-2011), Mark Capaldi promoted the work and vision of the ECPAT network to end the sexual exploitation of children supporting a wide range of programming in all regions of the world.He also provided technical input for the expansion and strengthening of the ECPAT network, partnerships and advocacy work. Since June 2011, Mark Capaldi has taken on the role of ECPAT’s Head of Research and Policy.Mark Capaldi has a doctorate degree with the Institute of Human Rights and Peace Studies at Mahidol University, Bangkok. The research topic of his dissertation was children’s agency within independent child migration in Thailand.
Abstract
More children are at risk of being sexually exploited today than ever before, despite the increased visibility and global attention on this issue in recent years. However, child victims of sexual exploitation mostly stay... [ view full abstract ]
More children are at risk of being sexually exploited today than ever before, despite the increased visibility and global attention on this issue in recent years. However, child victims of sexual exploitation mostly stay silent, with their views not being taken into consideration. ECPAT believes survivors can be catalysts for change, bringing unique insights and recommendations.
In order to ensure that the voices of survivors are incorporated in the global movement to end child sexual exploitation and that they are heard by governments, ECPAT held its first-ever Global Forum for adult survivors of childhood sexual exploitation. The Forum coincided with the 2nd anniversary of the European Day on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse. The Forum plenary was livestreamed to ECPAT Network members and partners, Lanzarote Committee Member States and the Council of Europe parliamentary group. A secure online platform provided a space for survivors watching the livestream to post their comments and feed into the live discussion.
The Global Survivors Forum was survivor led and driven. In the lead up to the Forum there were 27 local consultations held with over 300 survivors engaged in different countries around the world, including Austria, Armenia, France, Moldova, Netherlands, Russia, Ukraine and the UK. The voices of survivors were crucial inputs in the Global Survivors Forum agenda and helped to identify the key themes discussed during the Forum’s plenary: harmful social norms / stigma; access to justice; recovery and reintegration; government policies and practices and the mobilisation of survivors. Findings, recommendations and lessons learnt from the Global Survivors Forum are of value in the discussion on the meaningful and sustainable models of ensuring the child-victims right to be heard and taken into consideration in matters affecting children.
Authors
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Mark Capaldi
(ECPAT International)
Topic Area
Voice of the Child
Session
Oral13 » Session I-Voice of the Child (11:00 - Tuesday, 3rd October, Africa Room)
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