TOSHA (Enough) Help us end the scourge of commercial sexual exploitation of children on the Kenyan Coastline

We need your support

10$ will provide meals for a child survivor of sexual violence for a week

15$ will print 100 anti-commercial exploitation of children posters

20$ will take five survivors through counseling sessions

50$ will host a community forum around commercial sexual exploitation of children

Commercial sexual exploitation of children is one of the most severe violations of their rights and is a particular threat to child protection in Kenya generally and Coast province specifically. Commercial sexual exploitation of children (especially girls as young as 14) is a disgusting defiance of the human dignity and rights of children and adolescents and a form of economic exploitation similar to slavery and forced labor.

Child victims of commercial sexual exploitation suffer severe physical and psychological harm. They not only risk injuries from physical violence, unwanted pregnancies, and HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases, they also lose self-esteem, feel humiliated, guilty and sad. Once entrapped in the sex trade, it is difficult for them to break loose. They may live in fear of retribution and have to bear the additional traumas of social stigmatization, marginalization and even rejection by their families and communities. A recent ILO survey reveals that commercial sexual exploitation of children has a direct link to drug and substance abuse that is so rampant on the Kenyan Coast. At this point, their prospects for decent work as adults are limited - ILO/IPEC 2015 report.

What we plan to do

• Target and raise awareness about the dangers of commercial sexual exploitation to children vulnerable to the vice

• Setup referral mechanisms an safety nets to ensure that sexually exploited children are withdrawn, rehabilitated and reintegrated with their families and communities

• Collaborate with other stakeholders to ensure that sexually exploited children receive education and training services and participate in income generating activities

• Foster a robust men, boys and community-based child protection structures aimed at preventing and protecting protecting children from sexual exploitation

• Build the capacities and competencies of members of the judiciary and police on matters related to child sexual exploitation prevention, protection and child-friendly interview techniques