UN Human Rights Council 46: UK statement for the Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the Sale of Children
The UK's International Ambassador for Human Rights, Rita French, delivered this statement during the Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the Sale of Children.
Thank you, Madam President,
The United Kingdom thanks the Special Rapporteur for her ongoing work in this area.
We agree with the Special Rapporteur that there are numerous factors contributing to the scale and extent of this unacceptable abuse, and we also recognise that these factors may be further compounded by the global Coronavirus pandemic.
The UK is committed to combatting all forms of child sexual abuse and shares the Special Rapporteur’s view that a truly concerted, national, regional, international and cross-sectoral effort is needed to strengthen our collective response.
The UK is concerned that the online facilitation of child exploitation continues to present new and evolving challenges. And so in 2021, we published the ‘Tackling Child Sexual Abuse Strategy’.
This strategy emphasises the role of prevention and early intervention in keeping children safe, and the use of enhanced technology to stop offenders.
We will drive action across government and society as a whole to prevent all forms of child sexual abuse, bring offenders to justice, protect children, and support all victims and survivors.
In 2021, the UK intends to bring forward legislation to strengthen online safety.
Finally, we would like to ask the Special Rapporteur, what further measures are required to tackle child sexual abuse online?
Thank you.