Splintered Lives - Barnardo's

�� Recognition that so long as the resources of those obligated to combat sexual
exploitation are minuscule when compared to those who have an investment in
its continuance little progress will be made.
�� An agreed European protocol, within current human rights legislation, for
enabling police checks on potential employees with responsibilities for children.
�� The establishment of children's ombudsmen across Europe. They would be
responsible both directly to children and for ensuring that their interests were
being served by other agencies.
Education and Prevention
�� A statutory right of children and young people to sex education and media
awareness.
�� A definition of 'safe sex' within health education and awareness campaigns
which includes ‘non-coercion'.
�� The need to link with campaigns for the right to financial independence for
young people, and exploring how denial of access to benefits, limits on housing
benefit, contraction of student grants makes sections of young people more
vulnerable to sexual exploitation. .
�� Exploration of the particular vulnerabilities of young people in/leaving care, and
developing appropriate support services using both the Children Act and
Community Care. This may involve shifting definitions of who qualifies for
'child protection', in the case of care leavers, since they can fall through a
definitional net.
�� The development of high quality alternative forms of care for children and
young people who cannot (or do not want to) live safely with their parents (in
line with Article 3 of the UN convention)
�� Area Child Protection Committees to receive bi-annual reports from local
vice/crime squads on activities relating to sexual exploitation.
Support and Advocacy
�� A statutory right to support in cases of abuse, legal cases pending not
withstanding.
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