Harnessing the power of youth to end exploitation

When I say the words human trafficking what’s the first thing that comes to mind? Kidnapped? Overseas? Impoverished? Or maybe you think of street kids and runaways? Rarely, do we imagine this could be impacting our kids. But it does. Victim or not. Trafficked or not.  This is part of the culture they are growing up in. But what if we could harness the creative energy of these youth to end exploitation? test

In this episode I am joined by Cheryl Perera, founder of OneChild. This organization has already benefited over 79,000 individuals in 11 different countries. But more than that, it is the first in the world empowering a youth led movement against the exploitation of children. At the core of OneChild’s work is article 12 on the Convention of the Rights of the Child which states that every child has a right to have a say in matters that affect them. 

Youth to end exploitation

Cheryl became concerned about the exploitation of children while researching a project in high-school. Once she understood what was happening to thousands of her peers around the world she felt moved to action. Listen to the full episode to hear her remarkable story. I will hint here that it involves her going undercover in Sri Lanka at age 17 to help the police apprehend a child sex perpetrator!

In this episode:

• Youth need to be given a voice. This movement to end child exploitation will be most successful when we see youth, not just as beneficiaries of the work, but as partners in action. 

• Everyone can do something. The instances of child sex trafficking are more vast and deep than most people realize. But it is not beyond anyone’s reach to give aid.

• There are multiple connections between trafficking and pornography. For example, child abuse imagery is commonly found on mainstream pornographfic websites, thus fueling the demand. 

• One Child is designed to help young people take action—to lobby, to become active, and to influence change within their community. 

Episode challenge

Visit www.onechild.ca on your own and together with your child. The website has navigation streams suitable for both adults and youth (recommended 12 and up). Youth will be able to find stats, facts, mythbusters, and resource guides to help them digest this issue and take action. Concerned adults will find information that could help them recognize if a child is at risk as well as ways to get involved in the movement. 

Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed the show, please leave a positive review or tell a friend!

Download our FREE guide

Teaching children the basics of body safety can help them identify potential predators and safeguard them from sexual exploitation. Start this valuable conversation today with our 5 Body Safety Tips for Kids guide. Download your FREE pdf here.

More about today’s guest

Cheryl is the Founder and President of OneChild, the first organization in the world empowering children and youth to combat the sexual exploitation of children through prevention education, advocacy, survivor care, and survivor empowerment, benefiting over 79,000 individuals in 11 countries. OneChild has been named as one of the Top 5 Canadian Charities run by Young Professionals.

At 17, Cheryl embarked on a solo, fact-finding mission to Sri Lanka where she visited the streets, slums, and brothels to meet with child victims, NGO workers, and law enforcement to learn how she—as a teenager—could help. Today, her career spans 22 countries, where she has interviewed children in red-light districts and brothels; pioneered the Canadian private sector’s engagement in ending the sexual exploitation of children in travel and tourism; launched the first prevention education program on child sex trafficking in Canadian schools, and provided shelter and long-term comprehensive care to hundreds of child victims in Asia.

Links/Resources

 www.onechild.ca, FB and IG @OneChildNetwork

Ep. #2-3, Human Trafficking: Closer Than You Think with Linda Harlos, Parenting With a Purpose

Ep. #2-13, Take Action: Pornhub = Traffickinghub with Laila Mickelwait, Exodus Cry

Ep. #2-49, Pornhub Under Fire for Exploiting Children: Take Action Now!

https://www.ohchr.org/EN/ProfessionalInterest/Pages/CRC.aspx

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