Understanding the Experiences and Service Needs of Child Victims of Commercial Sexual Exploitation in Cote-d’Ivoire

• In Event: Estimating and Understanding Child Trafficking in West Africa: Assessment Strategies and Methodological Challenges

Abstract

As a destination and transit country, Cote-d’Ivoire (CDI) is not immune to various forms of child trafficking, including child forced begging, child domestic work, and commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC). As part of the formative research to support the Child Protection Compact between Cote-d’Ivoire and the US governments, a survey was conducted to fill the gaps of our limited knowledge on the prevalence of CSEC activities, victim needs, and accessibility in the country’s capital city, Abidjan. We found that 71% of survey participants did not think they were CSEC victims and 80% did not know there were laws protecting the victims. Interestingly, only 2% reported being under the control of pimps, which implies high agency among CSEC victims in this country, contrasting with the mainstream literature. While all the participants identified various service needs, very few knew about services available or accessible to them. Implications for child protection policy and service responses to CSEC will be highlighted.

Author

• Charles C. Hounmenou, University of Illinois Chicago