Impact of coronavirus disease on different manifestations of the sale and sexual exploitation of children

Issues

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a socio-economic crisis that has so far worsened the existing stark inequalities including for children. This resulted in the amplification of their risks to sale, trafficking, sexual exploitation and abuse.

The report

The Special Rapporteur on the sale and sexual exploitation of children, including child prostitution, child pornography and other child sexual abuse material, presented a thematic report (A/HRC/46/31) at the 46th session of the Human Rights Council, in 2021. It focused on the impact of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic on increased risk and various manifestations of sale and sexual exploitation of children.

Outlining the push and pull factors, protection challenges and good practices, the report provides recommendations on measures to address the heightened risks of sale and sexual exploitation of children, both online and offline, during and in the aftermath of the COVID-19 crisis and the ensuing lockdowns.

For the preparation of the report, the Special Rapporteur sent out a questionnaire to Member States, civil society, and other stakeholders.

The report included several recommendations for States and other stakeholders to consider.

To access the report and recommendations, view the report page