The Working Group on Sexual Exploitation of Children in Sweden

In February 2002, the Government decided to appoint the Working Group on sexual exploitation of children in Sweden. The working group is interdepartmental and is organized under the Ministry of Health and Social Affairs. It has now started its work and a final report will be delivered in May 2004.

Following the Swedish initiative that led to the first World Congress against commercial sexual exploitation of children in Stockholm in 1996, the Swedish Government presented its National plan of action in 1998. The plan was updated in 2001 in connection with Sweden’s participation in the second World Congress in Yokohama in December that year.

Although several measures were taken last year and the issue of commercial sexual exploitation received much attention in Sweden, knowledge regarding the extent of the problem and how to protect the children affected is still insufficient.

Every child exposed to sexual exploitation is one too many. Child prostitution, child pornography and child trafficking are illegal in most countries in the world. Exploitation is therefore concealed and shrouded in secrecy.

Bearing in mind the difficulties involved in estimating the exact number of children affected, it is important to find out more about how to identify sexually exploited children. It is important to acquire more knowledge about children at risk, their environment and how we can support them in their situation. It is also important to know more about the perpetrators and their behaviour.

In February 2002, the Government decided to appoint the Working Group on sexual exploitation of children in Sweden. The working group is interdepartmental and is organized under the Ministry of Health and Social Affairs. It has now started its work and a final report will be delivered in May 2004.

The working group shall:

· Using different methods, conduct a national review of available knowledge and information concerning sexual exploitation of children.

· Assess the need for measures to alter attitudes towards commercial sexual exploitation of children.

· Identify participants with a view to establishing a network for sharing knowledge and information as well as reviewing previous experience of collaboration.

· Follow up the Swedish national plan of action against commercial sexual exploitation of children.

· Propose additional and future measures against commercial sexual exploitation of children for inclusion in the Swedish National Plan of Action.

To obtain as much knowledge as possible the working group has at its disposal networks consisting of government authorities and non-governmental organizations. There are also networks of experts, professionals, and members of Parliament. As work progresses the network will be updated.

Chairman: Member of Parliament, Margareta Israelsson

Secretary: Ingrid Åkerman

Address: The working group on sexual exploitation of children in Sweden. Socialdepartementet, 103 33 Stockholm.

E-mail: koseb@social.ministry.se