23 September, International Day against Sexual Exploitation and Trafficking of Women and Children: The Adorers’ Commitment. Every 23 September is the International Day against Sexual Exploitation and Trafficking of Women and Children.
This day was established by the World Conference of the Coalition Against Trafficking in Person´s in coordination with the Women’s Conference held in Dhaka, Bangladesh, in January 1999. The date was chosen because Law 9.143, the first legal norm in the world against child prostitution, was enacted in Argentina on 23 September 1913.
These types of crimes, considered forms of modern slavery, consist of the buying, selling and exploitation of children and adults in various forms: sexual exploitation, labour exploitation, forced labour, organ trafficking, etc. Of all of them, sexual exploitation is the most numerous and has a strong gender component, as most of its victims are women and children.
The latest estimates of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) reveal that 6.3 million people were in situations of forced commercial sexual exploitation and almost 4 out of 5 of those subjected to these situations are children or women.
The work of the Adorers against sexual exploitation in 2023
Of the 9,235 women attended in 2023 by our Welfare Projects – present in 24 countries in 4 continents, 5,418 (almost 60%) were in a situation of sexual exploitation. In addition, it should be taken to in account that from our communities and projects we establish contact with and advise many other women who do not appear in these registers.
Our programmes for victims of sexual exploitation provide accompaniment to women, which includes psychological care, legal and juridical advice, professional training to facilitate their reintegration into society, as well as assistance in education, leisure and free time and in other fundamental areas for the integral development of women.
In addition, Adorers work closely with local and international authorities to strengthen support networks and improve the effectiveness in identifying and rescuing victims.
How can you help?
The fight against sexual exploitation and human trafficking is everyone’s responsibility. Here are some ways in which you can contribute:
- Inform yourself and disseminate information: Knowing more about this issue and sharing information with your environment, within your community, can help prevent and detect cases of exploitation.
- Support organizations: Consider donating or volunteering with organizations, such as Adorers, that work to combat the sexual exploitation of people. Donate here.
- Report: If you suspect sexual exploitation or human trafficking, do not hesitate to report it to the relevant authorities in your country or region.
On this International Day against Sexual Exploitation and Trafficking of Women and Children, let us all unite to eradicate this grave violation of human rights.