Help Stop the Sexual Abuse of Kenyan Children by British Nationals
- by: Walk Free
- recipient: His Excellency Dr. Christian Turner, British High Commissioner to Kenya
In tourist destinations worldwide, including Kenya, children are routinely subjected to horrific sexual abuse, violence and degradation at the hands of unscrupulous traffickers and offenders from many different places, including the UK.
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 (CST).[4] CST is most rampant along the Kenyan Coast where a majority of the tourism activities take place.
Recently, cases have been documented whereby British nationals; some convicted sex offenders, have travelled to Kenya where they sexually abused children and avoided prosecution in both Kenya and the UK. Consequently, victims went unnoticed without the vital protection and support they needed. The case of Simon Harris, a British former teacher, is just one case reported out of thousands that go unnoticed.
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 in the fight against transnational child abuse by implementing international obligations and setting up national and international law enforcement teams to protect children everywhere. 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 (CST).[4] CST is most rampant along the Kenyan Coast where a majority of the tourism activities take place.
Recently, cases have been documented whereby British nationals; some convicted sex offenders, have travelled to Kenya where they sexually abused children and avoided prosecution in both Kenya and the UK. Consequently, victims went unnoticed without the vital protection and support they needed. The case of Simon Harris, a British former teacher, is just one case reported out of thousands that go unnoticed.
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 in the fight against transnational child abuse by implementing international obligations and setting up national and international law enforcement teams to protect children everywhere.
[1] The Guardian - "British former teacher sexually abused Kenyan children, court hears",
http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2014/oct/21/british-teacher-simon-harris-abused-kenyan-children-court-hears
[2] Standard Digital - "Britain steps up war on child abuse in Kenya",
http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/article/2000138987/britain-steps-up-war-on-child-abuse-in-kenya
[3] International Labour Organisation - "Fighting Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children",
http://www.ilo.org/ipecinfo/product/download.do?type=document&id=25136
[4] BBC.com - "Kenya's hidden sex tourism in Malindi",
http://www.bbc.com/(news/world-africa-27427630)
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 (CST).[4] CST is most rampant along the Kenyan Coast where a majority of the tourism activities take place.
Recently, cases have been documented whereby British nationals; some convicted sex offenders, have travelled to Kenya where they sexually abused children and avoided prosecution in both Kenya and the UK. Consequently, victims went unnoticed without the vital protection and support they needed. The case of Simon Harris, a British former teacher, is just one case reported out of thousands that go unnoticed.
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 in the fight against transnational child abuse by implementing international obligations and setting up national and international law enforcement teams to protect children everywhere. 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 (CST).[4] CST is most rampant along the Kenyan Coast where a majority of the tourism activities take place.
Recently, cases have been documented whereby British nationals; some convicted sex offenders, have travelled to Kenya where they sexually abused children and avoided prosecution in both Kenya and the UK. Consequently, victims went unnoticed without the vital protection and support they needed. The case of Simon Harris, a British former teacher, is just one case reported out of thousands that go unnoticed.
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 in the fight against transnational child abuse by implementing international obligations and setting up national and international law enforcement teams to protect children everywhere.
[1] The Guardian - "British former teacher sexually abused Kenyan children, court hears",
http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2014/oct/21/british-teacher-simon-harris-abused-kenyan-children-court-hears
[2] Standard Digital - "Britain steps up war on child abuse in Kenya",
http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/article/2000138987/britain-steps-up-war-on-child-abuse-in-kenya
[3] International Labour Organisation - "Fighting Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children",
http://www.ilo.org/ipecinfo/product/download.do?type=document&id=25136
[4] BBC.com - "Kenya's hidden sex tourism in Malindi",
http://www.bbc.com/(news/world-africa-27427630)
Dear Dr. Christian Turner,
We are appalled by the news that some British nationals who travel are sexually abusing children in Kenya.[1] In tourist destinations worldwide including Kenya, 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 working to collaborate and share information with the Kenyan police at the earliest stage to ensure effective and efficient investigations.
This is why we ask that you make it possible for collaborative investigations of transnational child abuse cases involving UK nationals in Kenya to be initiated at an earlier stage. To do this, the British High Commission in Kenya must:
- Host a permanent member of the Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) Branch of the National Crime Agency, who will receive reports of abuse of Kenyan children by UK nationals, and coordinate investigations into such cases with the Kenyan police
[Your comments here]
Sincerely,
[Your name]
Sign PetitionSign PetitionWe are appalled by the news that some British nationals who travel are sexually abusing children in Kenya.[1] In tourist destinations worldwide including Kenya, 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 working to collaborate and share information with the Kenyan police at the earliest stage to ensure effective and efficient investigations.
This is why we ask that you make it possible for collaborative investigations of transnational child abuse cases involving UK nationals in Kenya to be initiated at an earlier stage. To do this, the British High Commission in Kenya must:
- Host a permanent member of the Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) Branch of the National Crime Agency, who will receive reports of abuse of Kenyan children by UK nationals, and coordinate investigations into such cases with the Kenyan police
[Your comments here]
Sincerely,
[Your name]
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