On September 27, 2006 key findings from a report on the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children in America undertaken by Shared Hope International, ECPAT-USA and the Protection Project of the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies will be presented to Congress

Contact: Judie Jolma, Shared Hope International, 703-351-8062, judiejolma@gmail.com

WASHINGTON, Sept. 25 /Christian Newswire/ -- A collaboration of non-profit organizations is set to release a report on the growing commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC) in America. The report will be presented to Congress for the first time on September 27, 2006. The report contains key findings and next steps derived from the recent nation-wide review of government and civil society programs designed to combat the commercial sexual exploitation of children.

The Report from the U.S. Mid-Term Review on the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children in America, was spearheaded by Shared Hope International, ECPAT-USA, and the Protection Project of the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies. The report will be submitted to the Third World Congress on the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children to be held in 2007. For more information please visit the CSEC Mid-Term Review website at www.csecmtrusa.com. 

Due for public release on the day of the hearing, the Report from the Mid-Term Review found that although national efforts to fight commercial sexual exploitation of children have increased since 2001 through development of laws and programs, the U.S. must take additional next steps to stem the growth of child pornography, child prostitution, child trafficking and child sex tourism, focusing on the shifting trends of exploitation and changing role of technology in these crimes. These areas include:

1) The increased demand for sexual services of children
2) Child pornography as a growing problem in the U.S.
3) The lack of resources to aid exploited and at-risk children
4) The need for cooperation between civil society and law enforcement, and
5) The need for further development of legislation to curb the commercial sexual exploitation of children.

In addition, this hearing will also provide momentum in the lead up to the December 2006 Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Ministerial Council in Brussels, Belgium. At this meeting, the Foreign Ministers of the 56 participating States will consider a Belgian, French and U.S.-proposed initiative designed to promote greater attention to the protection of children's' rights, and strengthen legal provisions to combat child pornography.

Details:

What: Helsinki Commission Hearing on Protecting Children: The Battle Against Child Pornography and Other Forms of Sexual Exploitation. Held by Senator Sam Brownback (R-KS) and Rep. Christopher H. Smith (R-NJ), Chairman and Co-Chairman, respectively, of the U.S. Helsinki Commission.

When: Wednesday, September 27, 2006 at 2:00 PM

Where: 2200 Rayburn House Office Building