What is transnational child exploitation?

ECPAT UK defines transnational child exploitation as the exploitation of children beyond country borders. It is where a citizen or citizens of one country exploit a child or children in another country. Transnational child exploitation includes the exploitation of children by a foreign national travelling, residing or working in another country. It also includes the sexual exploitation of children online where neither the child nor the exploiter is in the same jurisdiction or country.

Child exploitation is the act of using a child for profit, labour, sexual gratification, or some other personal or financial advantage. Child exploitation often results in cruel or harmful treatment of the child, as the activities he or she may be forced to take part in are detrimental to their mental health, development, physical health and education.

Transnational child exploitation takes many forms, however ECPAT UK’s work on this area focuses primarily on the sexual exploitation of children abroad perpetrated by UK citizens or residents, particularly in the travel and tourism industry.

How is a child defined?

A child is defined by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child as any person under the age of 18.