Children's Bill of Rights

Touched you or asked you to touch them in a way that makes you feel uncomfortable or ashamed

What does this mean?

If someone has touched your body or asked you to touch theirs against your will in a way that makes you feel uncomfortable or ashamed, you may be a victim of sexual exploitation and abuse.

This is a Crime

No one is allowed to do these things to you.
You have the right to be safe from sexual exploitation and abuse.
Adults like your parents, teachers, police or the government, are supposed to protect and help you.

What if I didn’t stop the person?

No matter how you responded, no one is allowed to do these things to you regardless of what kind of words or force the person used.
Nobody should ever blame you for what has happened to you because it is not your fault.

Talked, texted or messaged you in a sexual way

What does this mean?

If someone is talking to you in a sexual way you may be a victim of sexual exploitation and abuse.

This is a Crime

No one is allowed to do these things to you.
You have the right to be safe from sexual exploitation and abuse.
Adults like your parents, teachers, police or the government, are supposed to protect and help you.

What does ‘talking in a sexual way’ mean?

Making comments about your private parts;
Pestering you for sex;
Making unwanted sexual comments; or
Someone talking too much about their own sex life.

Forced, threatened or manipulated you into sex

What does this mean?

If someone has forced, threatened or manipulated you into having sex or taking part in sexual activities, you may be a victim of sexual exploitation and abuse.

This is a Crime

No one is allowed to do these things to you.
You have the right to be safe from sexual exploitation and abuse.
Adults like your parents, teachers, police or the government, are supposed to protect and help you.

How do I know if I was manipulated?

You may have been manipulated into taking part in sexual activities if:

You were too scared to say “no;”
You were offered a reward (like money or gifts);
You said “no” but someone forced you anyway;
Someone blackmailed you (for example because they know a secret about you); or
You were unable to consent because you had taken drugs or alcohol.

It’s often easier to be manipulated online. To gain your trust, the person will sometimes pretend they’re the same age as you, buy you gifts, offer you advice and compliments and pretend you are in a loving relationship.

Forced you to marry someone.

What does this mean?

If you are under the age of 18 and someone is forcing you to marry against your will, you may be a victim of sexual exploitation and abuse.

This is a Crime

No one is allowed to do these things to you.
You have the right to be safe from sexual exploitation and abuse.
Adults like your parents, teachers, police or the government, are supposed to protect and help you.

Is there a legal age to marry?

In most countries children under the age of 18 are not meant to be married.
You should never be forced into getting married, regardless of cultural and family norms.
You should be able to enjoy your childhood and take these decisions yourself when you feel ready.

Forced you to move away from your home for sex

What does this mean?

If someone has forced or manipulated you to move away from your home to another place – and then forced, threatened or manipulated you into taking part in sexual activities, then you may be a victim of sexual exploitation and abuse.

No one is allowed to do these things to you.
You have the right to be safe from sexual exploitation and abuse.
Adults like your parents, teachers, police or the government, are supposed to protect and help you.

What if I don’t live with my parents, am I still protected?

Everyone in every country has the right to freedom from sexual exploitation and abuse – especially those under the age of 18;
Your community leader, teachers, social workers, the police, lawyers and other adults must do their best to treat you fairly and protect all of your rights, no matter where you live, who you are or where you come from.

What if I have done something illegal, am I still protected?

In most countries victims of trafficking must not be treated as criminals by the police;
If you are under the age of 18 the police must recognize that even if you did something illegal (like having sex with someone for money) they still have to protect you and your rights.

Photographed or filmed you naked, or having sex, or asked you to watch them having sex

What does this mean?

If someone has photographed or filmed you while naked or while taking part in sexual activities or asked you to watch them having sex, you may be a victim of sexual exploitation and abuse.

This is a Crime

No one is allowed to do these things to you.
You have the right to be safe from sexual exploitation and abuse.
Adults like your parents, teachers, police or the government, are supposed to protect and help you.

What if it was me who sent the pictures?

If you were forced, threatened or manipulated to produce sexually explicit material, you are a victim of online sexual exploitation;
Nobody should ever blame you for what has happened to you because it’s not your fault;
If you are under the age of 18 it is illegal for anyone older than 18 to even look at these images, even if you took them; and
No-one can share these images without your consent, or threaten to share them to manipulate you into sex.

Tell someone

Find out how

You have the right to report what has happened to you to a trusted person, organisation, or the police.

You should not feel scared or ashamed to tell a safe person what has happened, or is happening to you. If you do tell a safe person or a trusted organisation, to help you they might have to tell the police what happened to you.

You have the right to file a criminal complaint against the people who hurt you if you want to.

The police must take your complaint seriously and investigate it as quickly as possible (in some countries you can complain against the person years after they hurt you.) If the people who hurt you are found guilty, they should be punished.

Remember, no one should try to make you change your story or take back what you said.

What is a safe person?

A safe person is someone who has never hurt you. He or she could be a family member, friend, teacher, lawyer, doctor or social worker;
To protect you, teachers, social workers and health professionals should always report to the police what has happened to you.

What if the person who hurt me is a close family member and I don’t want to see them punished?

It is entirely your decision to make an official complaint;
It may be natural to feel conflicted in these situations, but those who have hurt you may take advantage of your affection in order to manipulate you into agreeing to their abuse; and
If someone has hurt you it is likely that they may have hurt others, including people in your family. The police can also offer them protection.

Who should I call for help?

If you or someone you know is in danger and you’re not sure what to do, you should call your national helpline number. They will help you!

Click here to find your national helpline number

Protection

Find out how

You have the right to be protected and rescued from sexual exploitation and abuse.

Police must help you and your family escape danger and protect you from threats or harassment after you’ve disclosed what has happened to you. If you do press charges against those who hurt you, the police must make sure you are kept safe during the legal process.

What is the legal process?

The legal process is a way of describing the steps which will be taken by judges and lawyers when working on your complaint.

Who should I call for help?

If you or someone you know is in danger and you’re not sure what to do, you should call your national helpline number. They will help you!

Click here to find your national helpline number

Special help in prosecuting the person who hurt you

Find out how

You have the right to receive help if you press charges against those who hurt you.

You may have to tell your story more than once and you will probably have to go to court. This can be difficult, but telling your story should never be harmful to you. Special measures can be taken to reduce the chances that you become afraid or upset.

You also have the right to legal advice, translation and anything else that will help you understand the legal system and how your case is progressing.

And remember that you have the right to ask questions at any time.

Who should I call for help?

If you or someone you know is in danger and you’re not sure what to do, you should call your national helpline number. They will help you!

Click here to find your national helpline number

Privacy

Find out how

You have the right to have your privacy respected during the legal process.

Police, prosecutors, judges and lawyers should make sure that no information which could help people identify you (like your name, address or picture) gets out.

Who should I call for help?

If you or someone you know is in danger and you’re not sure what to do, you should call your national helpline number. They will help you!

Click here to find your national helpline number

Free medical and social services

Find out how

You have the right to free help so that you can cope and get better. It doesn’t matter whether or not you decide to press charges against the person who hurt you. Once you’ve reported what has happened to you, social services and others like doctors or the police must help you to feel okay again and can help ensure that you:

Have your basic needs met, including food, clothing and shelter;
Can continue your education; and
Have medical treatment and counselling.

When can I get this help?

You should get these from the moment your situation has been reported to the police, a teacher or social services. (Note that if you tell another trusted adult, they must in turn, to protect you, report what has happened on your behalf before you can access this type of assistance).

Who should I call for help?

If you or someone you know is in danger and you’re not sure what to do, you should call your national helpline number. They will help you!

Click here to find your national helpline number

Compensation

Find out how

You have the right to claim compensation for the harm done to you. If the person who has hurt you was found guilty, you have the right to receive compensation to make up for the harm caused to you.

What’s compensation?

Compensation means to get something in exchange for the loss or injury you have suffered. It can be money, but also educational opportunities, free counselling or help in recovering any costs for services you used (such as counselling and medical expenses) to help you get better.

Who should I call for help?

If you or someone you know is in danger and you’re not sure what to do, you should call your national helpline number. They will help you!

Click here to find your national helpline number

If You Are Under The Age of 18 and Someone has…

You May be a Victim of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse