Sexual exploitation of children

In many parts of the world children are kidnapped or bought to be exploited by a cynical sex and pornography industry. The 1986 Humanist World Congress regards this crime as violation of the human rights of that part of humanity which above all requires our protection, children.

The physical, emotional and psychological damage suffered by the children is even worse than the generally harmful consequences for the children’s educational and intellectual development. The result is often autism, psychoses and suicide. Medical reports mention cases of severe physical mutilation including damage to sex organs and anus. Sexually transmitted diseases are widespread, and the evidence of drug abuse overwhelming.

Children as young as 3 to 4 years old are confined in brothels, private clubs and eros-centres. Some are forced to participate in sado-masochistic pornographic films. Often they are raped by adults or exposed to excited animals. Most of these children never get out of these sex-rings alive.

The 1986 Humanist World Congress urges:

1. The world’s governments to take the necessary steps and to intensify their efforts to stop this cruel exploitation of children, according to the United Nations Declaration of the Child of November 20th 1959;
2. The press and organisations which work for children’s rights to pay attention to this exploitation;
3. Interpol to engage in stopping this crime against humanity;
4. Educational authorities to promote the teaching of non-exploitative values and attitudes concerning sexuality to prevent this kind of abuse;
5. Support of the UN Charter on the Rights of the Child.

IHEU Congress 1986

Suggested academic reference

'Sexual exploitation of children', Humanists International, World Humanist Congress, Oslo, Norway, 1986