Interactive Dialogue with Special Rapporteur on the Sale and Sexual Exploitation of Children
Statement by the Delegation of the United States of America
As Delivered by Samuel Birnbaum
Human Rights Council – 52nd Session
Thank you, Madam Vice Chair.
Thank you, Madam Special Rapporteur, for your stark overview of the sale and sexual exploitation of children.
The United States remains deeply committed to the protection of children in our own country and around the world. We further encourage that children’s agency and voice remain central while considering their need for protection and their ability to speak out without fear of retaliation.
The Advancing Protection and Care for Children in Adversity Strategy of the United States outlines our approach to investing in the education, development, care, dignity, and safety of vulnerable children and their families. The U.S. Strategy to Prevent and Respond to Gender Based Violence Globally also addresses the unique forms of violence and exploitation faced by children and disproportionately experienced by girls.
Through our foreign assistance programs, we aim to strengthen the capacity of governments to prosecute and convict those engaged in child trafficking, while simultaneously providing robust, trauma-informed, and survivor-centered care for victims and survivors.
Question: Child protection agencies believe these issues are underreported, citing a lack of comprehensive data. What can we do to address this gap?
I thank you.
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