ECPAT-USA Panel Highlights The Power Of Youth Advocacy At CSW

Now, more than ever, technology plays an essential part in our lives. But for those who spend time online, a simple click of a mouse can lead to a violation and exploitation of an individual’s rights.

Alongside this year’s Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), ECPAT-USA presented a panel detailing how one group who spends a significant amount of time online, youth, are using technology to empower their communities and raise awareness of child sex trafficking. The event, featuring Survivor-Advocate Shanifa Bennett and Brooklyn Technical High School students Nasrat Jahan and Rumana Khan, highlighted how important it is for students to take precautions online and for adults to talk to kids about the potential risks.

“Know what you’re talking about and be comfortable talking about it,” Bennett said, noting that just because it’s an uncomfortable topic doesn’t mean parents shouldn't talk to their children about sex trafficking.

Through ECPAT-USA's Y-ACT Youth Program, students are trained to be the foremost advocates in their communities by educating them on the facts, misconceptions, and risks of trafficking. Click here to learn more about the program.