User:KASOZI ABDUL WAHAB

HELLO FRIENDS Today I was navigating through my YouTube library and I landed on an investigative story about child and youth prostitution by Canary Mugume on Next Media Services YouTube channel titled BROTHEL OWNERS MAKING A KILLING OF SEX TRADE.

MY TAKE There is growing concern about the problem of commercial sexual exploitation of children and youths in Uganda, there is a need to begin to address, in a comprehensive and coordinated manner, the problem of prostituted children and youth in our country Uganda. There is also a need to conduct sensitization programs around the country and engaging stakeholders who work with exploited children and youth to share their knowledge, experiences, and observations about the problem and the solutions. WHAT SHOULD BE DONE FIRST Creating a forum for networking and information sharing. Raising national awareness about prostituted children. Building a base of knowledge about good practices. Assessing the needs and strengths of the field. Developing consensus for action A number of central questions and concerns are common but not answered UNANSWERED QUESTIONS INCLUDED THE FOLLOWING: What is the cost of prostitution for children and for society, and what is the cost of getting children off the street? How can we change public opinion and attitudes about the commercial sexual exploitation of children and about at-risk children? This includes how to motivate people to do more, how to change professional attitudes about prostituted children and youth, and how to encourage the development of enhanced services and treatment options? Why does the problem continue despite aggressive strategies in some jurisdictions? How can the demand side of the problem be addressed in an effective manner? What model legislation currently exists to target this issue? How can this legislation be replicated across the country? What services are needed by victims of the commercial sexual exploitation of children? What is the best way to deal with the diversity of this population? The vast majority of jurisdictions have no “system” for addressing the commercial sexual exploitation of children. Agencies that interact with prostituted children do not typically share information or coordinate with each other. Interactions are reactive, not proactive, and few services are available to victims of the commercial sexual exploitation of children or to at-risk children and youth. Some existing services for victims of child abuse could be made available to victims of prostitution if agencies expanded their thinking and perspective. The prevailing “tunnel vision” may exist because of an inconsistent view or understanding of the problem. There is a lack of consistent language or terminology across disciplines and the approach to dealing with the commercial sexual exploitation of children and youths. MY RECOMMENDATIONS Develop a coordinated and comprehensive systems approach to providing services and support for this population. Encourage existing resources, such as the faith-based community, community-based organizations, and local businesses, to assist with support and services (e.g., housing, education, counseling).