Economist Intelligence Unit Highlights ECPAT’s Work In Latest Study On Ending Child Sexual Abuse

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A new report from the Economist Intelligence Unit ranks the United States’ response to child sexual abuse and prioritization of ending the crime fifth on a list of 40 countries analyzed. The researchers looked at a country’s environment and stability, legal framework, government commitment and capacity, and engagement of industry, civil society, and media; and specifically referenced prior research and current initiatives from ECPAT International.

One of the areas in which ECPAT’s work was featured prominently is that of the measure of the engagement of the private sector in helping to end child sexual exploitation. The report highlights the Tourism Child-Protection Code of Conduct, ECPAT’s internationally accepted industry-driven corporate social responsibility framework that helps companies in the travel and tourism industry fight trafficking.

Additionally, the Economist report references ECPAT’s “Terminology Guidelines for the Protection of Children from Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse” as a framework for the best language to use when talking about exploitation. Using appropriate terminology when discussing this issue helps to better contextualize the nature of this issue and offers a better understanding of the role we all play in ending sex trafficking.

“Government, law enforcement, health and education systems, civil society and the private sector must acknowledge the responsibility of what is happening within their respective jurisdictions and play a part,” Carol Bellamy, global chair of ECPAT International says in the report.