Many of our children are exposed to child sexual exploitation, an act that is tantamount to violence and forced labour.
Parents must, therefore, educate and monitor their children regarding use of the internet, and their movements and daily engagements.
As parents, you must talk to your children about chat rooms, and what are appropriate or inappropriate conversations in a chat room.
People must also report suspected child sexual exploitation in their neighbourhood to the police for appropriate action.
Child sexual exploitation is a serious form of violence against children, and can involve the following: possession, manufacture and distribution of child pornography; online enticement of children for sexual acts; child prostitution; child sex tourism; and child sexual molestation.
There is an absolute need to put in place more stringent measures for the intervention, support and action for children and young people at any given time.
The assessment should be made on the basis of known risk indicators or immediate vulnerability factors.
There is a need for inquiry into the scale and scope of sexual exploitation in the country to foster care and support for victims.
People must understand the true extent of child sexual exploitation in their communities and to properly address it and help their families.
Child sexual exploitation must be recognized as an issue that requires collective efforts.
This is a very serious crime, and must be treated as such, with the perpetrators pursued more strongly.
Many children could be affected by the menace, and the issue reaches across regions and race.
I am concerned about the growing problem of sexual abuse and exploitation of our children.
Jim Ryun
