Walkfree.org Petition – End UK Child Sex Tourism

We are appalled by the news that some British nationals who travel are sexually abusing children in Kenya.(1) Children are routinely subjected to horrific sexual abuse, violence and degradation at the hands of unscrupulous traffickers and offenders from many different countries, including the UK.(2)

While the UK Government’s aspiration to fight child sexual exploitation and abuse by British nationals abroad is commendable, (3) we are concerned that progress will not be achieved without an in-country, dedicated UK crime specialist.

Right now the British High Commission in Nairobi is preparing to make a policy announcement to help tackle transnational child abuse.

Ask the British High Commissioner to Kenya to include a dedicated crime specialist in their fight against child abuse.

Reports indicate that there is heightened vulnerability of Kenyan children from foreigners including UK nationals. According to a report by End Child Prostitution in Kenya (ECPIK), more than 50,000 children are involved in Child Sex Tourism.(4) The abuse is most rampant along the Kenyan Coast where a majority of the tourism activities take place.

British nationals including some convicted sex offenders, have travelled to Kenya and sexually abused children. Outrageously they avoided prosecution in both Kenya and the UK.

Please ask the British High Commissioner to host a permanent member of the Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) Branch of the National Crime Agency to coordinate investigations into such cases with the Kenyan police.

Now is the time to take the next step to do our part and help stop the nightmare of sexual slavery for children in destinations around the world by calling on the UK and Kenyan governments to strengthen their commitment to the fight against transnational child abuse.

Sincerely,

Joanna, Sonia, Michael at Walk Free, Tom and Josephine at Child Aid Organisation Kenya & the ECPAT UK team

Links and references.
1 http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2014/oct/21/british-teacher-simon-harris-abused-kenyan-children-court-hears
2 http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-27427630  
3 http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/article/2000138987/britain-steps-up-war-on-child-abuse-in-kenya
4 http://www.ilo.org/ipecinfo/product/download.do?type=document&id=25136