The findings of the Expert Group are that the work in this field should be concentrated on prevention and rehabilitation.
The Member States have informed the Expert Group whether the issue of child abuse is on the curricula of the schools for social workers. The Member States have informed about the existence or non-existence of legal obligations for certain professions to report suspicion of sexual exploitation, i.e. duty of notification.
The Expert Group has found that the view of the child and the work methods differ in the Member States. Some countries have no experience of multidisciplinary co-operation in this field. There is therefore a need for developing methods for co-operation between different professions working with children.
The existence or non existence of education on the issue of child abuse and sexual exploitation on the curricula of the schools for social workers in the Member States has been difficult to establish due to the curricula in many States not being decided by a central authority. In some States the issue of sexual abuse of children is a voluntary subject. In order to raise the awareness among social workers and thereby making it possible for an effective preventive work the issue of sexual abuse of children has to be integrated into the curricula.
There is a need in some of the Member States for sexual education being introduced into the compulsory school curricula, and also a need for education in the schools for social workers about especially vulnerable children who run the risk of being sexually exploited. It is important to raise the awareness of the issue not just among social workers but also among pre-school staff, teachers, the medical services, the child psychiatry care services, the media and the police. A multidisciplinary approach is needed.
Regarding rehabilitation measures there are according to the survey by the Expert Group a lack of preparedness concerning rehabilitation measures among some of the Member States. In a number of countries there are rehabilitation centres managed by NGOS. In some countries public rehabilitation measures for these children are integrated in services including much wider target groups. When working with rehabilitation of sexually exploited children it is important to have a multiprofessional approach. Some of the Member States have none or very little experience of co-operation between e.g. the police and the social service. It is of utmost importance to develop methods for multidisciplinary co-operation.
In general it is important that the work against commercial sexual exploitation of children is being done on a multidisciplinary level and that consultations between the Member States take place in order to use and develop already existing projects.
The Member States have provided the Expert Group with information about the existence of education on sexual exploitation of children in the curricula of the schools for social workers.
In Denmark the curriculum is to a very high extent adopted in a decentralised manner at the schools and between the individual teachers and students. In the ministerial regulation concerning the standards and objectives of the social worker schools, the issue of commercial sexual exploitation of children does not appear. The curricula adopted locally at the schools for social workers does not explicitly contain reference to the issue.
The issue of sexual exploitation of children is included in the curricula of the schools for social workers to some extent as a topic overlapping with child protection questions as well as violence etc. There is no separate program which would include a systematic overview of this complicated area.
The issue of commercial exploitation exists to a very small extent in the education of social workers.
A new interdisciplinary curriculum for the scientific university regarding sexual pedagogy has been developed and is now being tested.
In Iceland the education of social workers is provided by University of Iceland and is a four year programme. The curriculum emphasises courses in violence in families with specific on child abuse. The issue of commercial exploitation of children is introduced to students but not explicitly referred to.
There is one course on the issue of sexual abuse of children at the school for social workers in Riga.
The issue of commercial sexual exploitation is on the curricula of the school for social workers.
The issue of sexual child abuse is an integrated part of the education of Norwegian social workers on the subject of child abuse and neglect. However, the decentralised decision-making concerning the curricula and the autonomy of each regional academy makes it hard to get an exact quantitative image of the focusing on sexual child abuse. There is at present no overview of to which extent the issue of commercial sexual exploitation of children is on the curricula at different regional academies for education in social work.
The issue is not included in the curricula.
No response
In the Swedish education of social workers a general perspective and a general knowledge is emphasised. The two major subjects in the education of social workers are children' s issues and problems of substance abuse. There is a section in almost every single course in the education which deals with the issue of children. The problem of sexual abuse of children is brought up in many of these courses.
The Member States have provided the Expert Group with information about the existence of any legal obligations for certain professions to report suspicion of the occurrence of sexual exploitation of children.
According to Section 19 in the Social Welfare Act professionals who are public servants must notify the Municipal executive board, if they in their line of duty get knowledge about conditions which give reason to believe that a person is in need of social assistance. This provision is used in cases of suspicion of sexual exploitation of children. According to section 20 any person who becomes aware to a child or a young person under the age of 18 is exposed to neglect or degrading treatment by his parents or any other person bringing him up, or lives under conditions liable to imperil his health or development, shall be under a duty to notify the municipal council.
According to the Social Welfare Act, family members of a person in need of assistance, judges, police officers, prosecutors, heads of health care services or educational institutions and other officials are obliged to give notice of a person in need of social welfare to the local municipality where the person is residing.
According to the Child Protection Act every person who learns that a child in need of protection or assistance is obliged to immediately notify the Social services department, police or some other body providing assistance.
If a person within the social and health authorities, schools, police, parishes or another person with a commission of trust, in his line of duty, learns about a child who is being abused and in need of assistance this person must notify the social welfare authorities.
Under the Child and Youth Services Act, workers in youth and youth welfare services-as in other areas relating to the protection of children-are required in sexual abuse cases to take preventive action by identifying danger at an early stage and seeking to remove it, and by arranging for follow-up educational assistance. This includes the obligation to report on cases where danger to the child's welfare cannot otherwise be avoided.
According to the Children and Youth Protection Act, Chapter IV, there are several articles covering obligations regarding notification.
Obligation to the general public:
"Anyone who becomes aware that a child is mistreated, its upbringing neglected, or its circumstances so deficient that this presents a threat to the child, is obligated to notify the Child Protection Committee where the child is resident.
In addition, every person has the right to inform a Child Protection Committee of any matter which may be expected to deserve its attention" (art 12).
Obligation of parties involved with children:
"Anyone who, because of his employment or position, is involved in dealing with children and youth and who becomes in the course of his work aware of unacceptable breaches in the upbringing and circumstances of children and youth is obligated to notify a Child Protection Committee of such.
Nursery school teachers, private child care-workers, teachers, ministers, doctors, midwifes, nurses, psychologists, social workers, and others who are responsible for social services or counsel are especially obligated to take note of the behaviour, upbringing, and circumstances of children and youth, whenever possible and inform a Child Protection Committee if it appears that a child's circumstances call for the intervention of a Child Protection Committee. The obligation to notify such cases takes precedence over legal provisions regarding the obligations of the professionals concerned regarding confidentiality" (art 13).
A resolution have been accepted by the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Welfare and the Ministry of Internal Affairs on the issue. According to this resolution, medical personnel, teachers and police are bound to inform specialists of children's right protection within 24 hours about cases where violence (including sexual exploitation) against children have been observed.
The legal obligation applies to social workers, doctors and police.
Section 4-6 in the Child Welfare Act gives an account of the duty of notification to the child welfare services that applies to employees in public agencies as well as members of various specified professions. If somebody within these categories has reason to believe that a child is being exposed to commercial sexual exploitation, the duty of notification will apply. The only exception from this duty concerns ministers of a religion who are subject to very strict rules of confidentiality.
In a section of the Penal Code a duty of all citizens to report certain violations of the code is stated. Rape and sexual acts with someone under the age of 14 are included.
The Act on Proceedings in Cases involving Minors obligates any person who discovers signs of depravation in a minor to notify thereof his/her parents, the school, the family court, the police or other relevant authorities. The Code of Civil Procedure obligates everyone to report any event justifying that a family or guardianship case at is brought to a guardianship court.
Persons working with children or other citizens who learn about someone breaking any law regarding the protection of children are obliged to report this to the local authorities where the child is. When the authorities learn about a crime against a child they have to take measures to protect the child.
Section 71 of the Social Services Act defines the duty of a person learning that a child is suffering from neglect to report the matter to the social services. Under these provisions, any person acquiring knowledge of any matter which can imply a need for the Municipal social welfare committee to intervene for the protection of a child is to notify the social services to this effect. It is the duty of persons professionally involved in activities relating to children and young persons, whether under public or private auspices, to notify the Municipal social welfare committee immediately if, in the course of their professional practice, they learn anything which can imply a need for the committee to intervene for the protection of a minor.
In Denmark a preventive system has been developed which, however, is not especially aimed towards sexually exploited children, but for a larger target group. There are possibilities in this system to prevent sexual exploitation of children. District nurses have contact with families. Professionals at day care institutions get through courses, conferences and information sheets the necessary knowledge to be able to acknowledge signals of commercial sexual exploitation of children.
The purpose of social welfare is to provide assistance to persons or families in order to prevent, eliminate or relieve subsistence difficulties and to assist persons with special social needs. In order to provide this assistance certain social assistance schemes and social services mostly provided by local governments have been developed (counselling, hot-lines, in-home services, housing services). Local authorities have also developed and implemented specific programmes and projects for the development of and protection of children.
The social service departments are competent to intervene whenever an adult mistreats a child, in order to resolve the conflict, and if necessary seek punishment of the person at fault in an administrative or criminal procedure. A child who has suffered violent treatment or mistreatment shall be accorded necessary assistance. An adult who treats a child violently shall also receive counselling in order to prevent further mistreatment.
Sexual education is given in compulsory school aimed at sound sexual development. The school health service aims at discovering teenagers that are about to get into problems.
There is a close network of youth authorities, social-pedagogical counselling services, child-psychiatry institutes and child protection organisations that do both preventive and rehabilitative work on the issue of sexual exploitation of children.
There are no specific preventive measures in the field of sexual exploitation of children. Sexual child abuse is however a subject within the educational system both for social workers, teachers and pre-school teachers. One can therefore assume that these professionals are somewhat prepared to handle suspicion of child sexual abuse.
The government Agency for Child Protection has specifically introduced the duty of notification to many professionals. (See under 4.2)
The local authorities provide a wide range of services aimed towards families at risk as well towards specific youth problems. Outreach programmes aimed towards youngsters exist in many locations and the staff is aware of the possibility of sexual abuse and sexual molestation and they are trained in reacting to suspicion of such a situation.
NGOs in Iceland, specifically Stigamot, which is a counselling- and information centre on sexual abuse, is constantly reminding the public of the seriousness of sexual child abuse.
Sexual education is included in health classes in the compulsory school system. There are several NGOS that make considerable efforts to protect children against sexual abuse.
A special programme of preventive measures against sexual exploitation of children has been established by the Government of the republic of Lithuania on 1 September 1997.
General preventive measures for children and youth in Norway are usually aiming at a wide range of potential problems and target groups. These measures may involve schools, school health services, school psychology (social-pedagogical counselling) services, leisure clubs, local police, voluntary organisation etc.
At the individual or family level, a broad range of in-home measures are used pursuant to the Child Welfare Act, often in co-operation with other agencies, for example child psychiatric services or voluntary organisations. The law presupposes that such measures are tailored to the individual needs of the child. Regarding measures for children and youth perceived as belonging to risk groups, there are local efforts for example against substance abuse, since the correlation between drug abuse and child prostitution seems to be rather high.
According to the Child Welfare Act measures, if necessary involuntary, may be taken regarding anyone under the age of 18 who is a prostitute after thorough examination of the person's general life situation. Under very specific circumstances, the child welfare authorities can act in the same way when a minor is engaged as an "actor" in the production of pornographic material. Under very specific circumstances, the child welfare authorities can act in the same way when a minor is engaged as an "actor" in the production of pornographic material.
There are lectures, seminars and workshops organised in schools and information and special programmes in mass media.
There is a whole complex of preventive measures against sexual exploitation of children. A bill, currently under review in the state Duma, on limiting circulation, production of shows of sexual nature shall contribute to the protection of children from sexual exploitation. The bill includes a special article on protection of children under the age of 18. The article aims at preventing children from being pulled into the sex industry. Adoption of the law on the basis of legal protection against violence in families shall also contribute to the protection of children under the age of 18 from sexual violence.
A general support system for all children (health care services, parental education and support, child care and schools) is essential in the prevention of social problems in general. Sexual education adjusted to the age of the children at regular intervals through all stages of school is an effective preventive instrument. In Sweden, youth centres have been established as an easily accessible, multi-professional preventive community resource, usually in co-operation between the county and the municipality. Since the 1970's they play an important role in preventing unwanted pregnancies among young people, sexually transmitted diseases (STD), psychological and social disorders as well as the abuse of alcohol and other drugs.
A multidisciplinary co-operation is normally organised when a case of sexual exploitation of a child is established in order to alleviate the trauma of the child. Among others psychologists, psychiatrists and social workers are taking part in this kind of co-operation.
A child who is separated from his/her family can be placed in a foster family or in a welfare institution, such as a day centre, shelter, youth or group home, where children are guaranteed appropriate care suitable for their age and specific conditions. The child receives treatment, medical care, rehabilitation, education. Special projects and programmes have started on state level as well as on local level: Tartu Child Support Centre is partly financed by the State to prepare procedures and methods for treatment of abused children; self help and therapy groups are run by professionals and volunteers in the local communities.
There is a close network of youth authorities, social-pedagogical counselling services, child-psychiatry institutes and child protection organisations that do both preventive and rehabilitative work on the issue of sexual exploitation of children.
In general the Child and Youth Protection Act covers a wide range of supportive measures to assist children and their families who have been victims of child abuse. If an investigation reveals a need for action on behalf of a Child Protection Committee. The Committee shall, in co-operation with the parents and the situation of the child or youth concerned in regard, offer assistance in an appropriate manner by taking different actions.
Placement in a foster home can be applied in cases where parents are unable to support and provide the necessary means for the child. Treatment homes are also available for children and youths who have severe behavioural problems or substance abusers.
Sexually abused children and child prostitutes are often taken care of by institutions.
Some children are also taken care of through child psychiatric hospital care and/ or out-patient treatment.
Sexually abused children and their families can receive professional psychological help at the Psychological Centre at the University of Latvia. The Psychiatric State Centre in Jurmala provides psychological, medical and other necessary special care for persons suffering from sexual abuse. The state cannot however ensure comprehensive rehabilitation and reintegration of children who have suffered from violence and sexual exploitation.
There is one rehabilitation centre for children who are victims of sexual exploitation.
Since the incidence of commercial sexual exploitation in Norway is low and somewhat undetermined, it is not possible to give a precise description of the rehabilitation measures in use. It is however reasonable to assume that those victims of abuse which the authorities are aware of, all are very frequently within the categories of "youth with severe behavioural problems or "young substance abusers". These categories of youth often receive co-ordinated assistance from child psychiatry as well as child welfare services, through in-home services, in institutions or especially equipped foster homes. Some studies indicate that many of the clientele in working residential collectives for young substance abusers have been involved in child prostitution. Education, often in the form of vocational training, is an essential element in treatment programmes for the aforementioned categories of youth. In addition, some studies are indicating that a substantial percentage of psychiatric patients- minors as well as adults-have been exposed to sexual abuse or exploitation as children. These studies do not indicate the extent to which this implied commercial exploitation.
In Poland there exist psychiatric care service and assistance for all victims.
Children who have been sexually exploited or that are at risk of being sexually abused can call a special telephone line. They can also turn to a psychological-pedagogical consultation.
In critical cases the children can turn to crisistemporarily. -centres-shelters and stay there These shelters have grown in numbers since 1993 but they do not cover the need. Many children do not know that these shelters exist.
The work with sexual abuse is performed in a multidisciplinary setting. The municipal social services have the primary responsibility to ensure that the rights of a child who has been sexually abused are properly considered. In order to fulfil this task, the great majority of municipalities in Sweden have what are called consultation groups. These group include representatives of the social services, child psychiatry, the police/prosecution service and sometimes also of adult psychiatry and/or paediatric medicine. The social service authority is convening member and ultimately responsible for children being helped and protected in vulnerable situations. The consultation group has the task of discussing, planning and co-ordinating the handling of the matter. Treatment for children who have been sexually abused and their families shall be decided upon individual assessments in each case. Group treatment is also available in some parts of Sweden.
It has not been possible for the Expert Group during the time available to get a more informative picture of ongoing projects, based on co-operation between two or more of the Member States. Projects aimed exclusively against commercial sexual exploitation of children seem to be rare. A number of projects with a wider approach are or have been going on. The NGOS active in the field, are playing a major part in many of the projects. It will be of importance in the realisation of the proposed projects of the Expert Group to rely on the expertise and know-how of the NGOS.
The result of one project by the International Federation of Social Workers in collaboration with the International Child Bureau, the NGO Group for the Convention on the Rights of the Child and ECPAT could be of long-term interest. The goal of the project is to produce a manual for professionals on effective psycho-social strategies to address sexual exploitation with the aim to create sustainable change through recovery and integration of children into their families and communities. The aim of the project is to have the handbook available at the end of 1998. A translation of the handbook into the languages of the Baltic Sea Region and integration of the handbook into the work against sexual exploitation of children in the region should be considered together with the initiators.