PRESS RELEASE 18.10.22
Helsinki – 18 October 2022, 00:01 EEST
On 18 October, the EU Anti-Trafficking Day, ten European civil society organizations received the Child10 Award at the Royal Castle in Stockholm, Sweden. Suojellaan Lapsia, Protect Children is among the awarded organizations selected from over 130 nominations across Europe. The Award acknowledges Suojellaan Lapsia, Protect Children ry’s impactful work against human trafficking and other forms of commercial sexual exploitation of children and was presented by Her Majesty Queen Silvia of Sweden.
According to the UNODC Global Report on Trafficking, one in three victims of trafficking is a child. Human trafficking is now ranked as the world's third most profitable crime category after drugs and weapons. The organisations recognised and receiving the Award today all work in extremely challenging environments in a field that is under-resourced and often hidden due to the nature of the crime.
"In the wake of the pandemic and with the climate crisis, wars and ongoing conflicts, children today are more vulnerable than ever. Collaboration and impactful solutions are, therefore, of the utmost importance to protect children and secure their rights. The organizations honored today demonstrate that it is possible to achieve a world where no child is a victim of trafficking and exploitation and in doing so, underline the crucial role of civil society to protect vulnerable children, both in Sweden and in Europe" says Jacob Flärdh, Secretary General of Child10.
The Child10 Awarded Members have been working together throughout 2022 to identify best practices, develop effective and durable solutions to joint challenges and find a collective voice to do stronger advocacy together. They have also received capacity-building support to develop their organizations and make their operations more efficient and sustainable. All awardees receive a prize of 100,000 SEK each from HM Queen Silvia's Care About the Children Foundation.
"This year's winners are all dedicated experts in the fight against human trafficking and sexual exploitation of children in Europe. It is an extremely impressive group that has worked together during the year and we are proud to have them as part of our network" says Therese von Blixen-Finecke, CATCH's Director of Operations.
"All our actions stem from a research-based – holistic method. Our ReDirection research – Innovation and intervention on people who search and use child sexual abuse material and groom children online has been ground-breaking and we have today over 20 000 answers in 20 different languages. We are honored and grateful for Her Majesty, Queen Silvia for recognizing and rewarding our Teams hard work." says Nina Vaaranen-Valkonen, Executive Director, Senior Specialist, Suojellaan Lapsia, Protect Children ry.
Listen to Nina Vaaranen-Valkonen's Child10 Award Acceptance Speech
Child10 Awarded Members 2022:
ACPE, France
ATINA, Serbia
APRAMP, Spain
Child Focus, Belgium
Gender Alternatives Foundation, Bulgaria
Network Against Human Trafficking, Germany
Protect Children, Finland
Society Ključ, Slovenia
Storasyster, Sweden
For more information please contact:
Anna Ovaska, Deputy Manager, Legal Specialist Suojellaan Lapsia, Protect Children ry
anna.ovastak@suojellaanlapsia.fi
+358 400 81 0020
Johanna Wilkens, Communication Manager Child10
johanna@child10.org
079 102 36 36
About Child10 Child10's vision is a world free from child trafficking and other forms of commercial sexual exploitation of children. We believe that change is achieved by a holistic child rights-based approach. Together with grassroots organizations and other actors in the field we develop and advocate for powerful and durable solutions to ensure that the rights of every child are respected, protected, and fulfilled. For more information about Child10, visit Child10.org About H.M. Queen Silvia Foundation – Care About the Children H.M. Queen Silvia’s Foundation – Care About the Children, works for a world in which every child’s most fundamental needs are fulfilled. Our objectives depart from the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and seek to provide every child with access to education and healthcare as well as ensure their safety and happiness. In short, to let children be children! The foundation cooperates with established organizations on well-defined projects and in doing so supports the most vulnerable children in Sweden and around the world. For more information about Queen Silva’s foundation, visit Drottningsilviasstiftelse.se