OSCE conference to focus on helping governments combat sexual exploitation of children

VIENNA, 16 October 2007 - Prevention, protection of victims and co-ordination of efforts to tackle commercial sexual exploitation of children is the focus of a two-day OSCE conference that starts Thursday in Vienna.

All 56 OSCE participating States have committed to combating sexual exploitation, but many governments still face serious problems in transforming those commitments into action. The conference, organized by the Spanish Chairmanship of the OSCE and the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), looks at how international co-operation and exchange of information can be strengthened.

Speakers at the conference opening include Anne-Marie Lizin, Vice President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, and Jo de Linde, representative of the network Ecpat (End Child Prostitution, Child Pornography and Trafficking of Children for Sexual Purposes), as well as Ambassador Carlos Sanchez de Boado, Chairman of the OSCE Permanent Council, Ambassador Christian Strohal, Director of the ODIHR and Eva Biaudet, OSCE Special Representative and Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings.

The meeting is divided into three working sessions. The first session focuses on understanding and addressing vulnerability to exploitation, emphasizing adequate child protection systems and social welfare.

The second session discusses legal frameworks, including criminalizing offences and prosecuting perpetrators and laws and policies related to social, educational and labour issues. In the third session, participants will share lessons and good practices on protective and preventive measures.

Journalists are invited to attend the conference, which will be held from 15.00 to 18.00 on 18 October, and from 9.00 to 17.30 on 19 October, in the Neuer Saal at the Hofburg Congress Centre in Vienna.

A side event held on Friday between 12:00 and 14:00 in the Bibliotheksaal (5th floor) will focus on the situation of boys in the sex industry. Researchers from non-governmental organizations from Italy, Russia, South Asia and Britain will participate.

For further information, see: //www.osce.org/conferences/shdm3_2007.html