CHILD LABOR OFFENDERS MUST BE SEVERELY PUNISHED

Child labor is a big problem in Third World Countries.



Slavery has long been abolished, but it has resurfaced in many forms. The disturbing factor over this new trend of slavery is child abuse, trafficking, and labor. 


Children are constantly kidnapped or sold by their own families because of poverty to work long hours under horrific conditions.

Every child has the right to education. But many of them are far from school, doing hard work as adults. This affects their childhood. Many children are drawn into conflicts as child soldiers in many parts of Africa. 

In Asia, some children are sent to work in hard conditions to defray debts owed by their parents.

Girls between the ages of ten and twelve were often subjected to sexual abuse by adults to make money from them. The stories are many, and some are sad and emotional. According to sources in India has an estimated 17 million child labourers working at various places.

Even though there are many organisations worldwide fighting against this form of child slavery, little has been the result. As long as poverty exists, child labour can't be eliminated, but it can be reduced. 

However,  since adults are responsible for this crime against children, the offence must carry a heavy sentence to serve as a deterrent to others.

MORE THAN 500 REPORTS OF SEXUAL ABUSE" - SAYS 'CHILD FOCUS

Child abuse has significantly increased online.



Sexual abuse against children is now on the increase, despite all efforts by the police and organizations fighting against this heinous crime.


It is sad to note that adults who are supposed to help and protect children are those responsible. According to 'Child Focus,' an organization protecting children in Belgium, last year alone, 513 sexual abuse cases were reported against underage children.

For the victims of sexual abuse to come forward and tell their stories, "Child Focus" has introduced a 'chart-channel' to persuade them. According to the report, most of the cases against the victims come from the surroundings of the victim.

"It is very good that children remain confident in their environment to come forward. At the same time, we want to offer a solution to victims who have hidden their secret to be confident and come forward, also to speak," explains Mr. Dirk Depover, the spokesman for "Child Focus."

The meaning of the 'chart-channel' is for the consultants to create a dialogue with the young people to see where and how the victim can get assistance in their environment, or in any way to follow judicial procedures. Mr. Depover explains further.

In many cases, adult sex offenders, after serving their jail terms, come out to repeat this same offense. These people have no shame. They are extremely dangerous to society, and when caught and found guilty, they must be caged for life.

BELGIUM: "CHILD FOCUS" FIGHTS AGAINST CHILD ABUSE

Child abuse is real. Protect your children.

Child abuse is considered a worldwide social problem that many institutions, including UNICEF, are fighting against to free children from bondage, sexual abuse, and all kinds of crimes committed against children.

One of such institutions in Belgium, which is tirelessly working hard to reduce or prevent child abuse in the country, is "CHILD FOCUS". Every week, the 'Child Focus' administration receives about ten complaints of sexual abuse against children, said Dirk Depover, the head of 'Child Focus'.

According to 'Child Focus' quarter of the victims of sexual abuse are children under 6 years, and still, 30 percent of the children are between the ages of 7 and 13.

75 percent of the cases revealed that the victims did not know the perpetrators before being abused, while 10 percent came from their neighbors and 7 percent from teachers or schoolmasters.

In the first months of 2011, 20 percent of child abuse cases were reported, according to 'Child Focus', which was probably the result of the outburst of sexual abuse within the church community. It is estimated that more than 60 percent of children have been sexually abused.

Further, an investigation has revealed that it is only 40 percent of abused cases are reported or known, but the greater percentage lies in the dark. Nothing about the case is known by the police.

As a result, the perpetrators stay free without facing the law for their crimes. They simply escape punishment and prosecution. In the file of child abuse cases, the internet is seen as the major cause out of the seven causes leading to this problem.

This is mainly about victims who can be accessed via chat or spicy spreading of images by someone known.

(The original publication of this article appeared in the Wednesday, 4 May 2011, edition of "Het Laatste Nieuws", translation by the writer).