Middle East & North Africa
The sexual exploitation of children in the Middle East and North Africa region is generally considered to have less of a commercial dimension than in other regions. Familial sexual exploitation of children is reported by researchers and NGOs. However, sexual exploitation remains a taboo subject for the community. Family and community members and authorities are reluctant to acknowledge and discuss the issue.
The effects of modernisation, urbanisation, structural adjustment and family and community fragmentation are playing a key role in the region in the increasing vulnerability of children to commercial sexual exploitation. Children working as street vendors or in unregulated mail or delivery services in the 'poverty belts' in cities such as Cairo, Casablanca, Marrakech and Tunis are especially vulnerable. These areas are populated by high numbers of unemployed people and migrants from rural and major urban areas. They are joined by children from families that have disintegrated, from ethnic minorities and geographically isolated groups and by children who have not been granted civic status.
In some areas, groups of children band together, establishing their own subculture, and within this network younger children are reportedly abused by the older children in the group. Reports also indicate an increase in drug abuse.
In addition, while there are no exact figures, a high percentage of girls work in unregulated households - too often isolated, invisible and highly vulnerable to sexual and physical abuse.
In cities such as Alexandria, Marrakech and Tunis a link has been established between tourism and the growth of commercial sexual exploitation of children. The exploiters are identified as coming from within the same country, from other countries within the region, as well as from Europe. Young boys are the key targets in several countries in this region, according to reports including recent studies by the International Abolitionist Federation. Live-in domestics or those on the streets are among the most vulnerable. In addition, girls - mostly from Asia - who are below the legal age of marriage are trafficked under the guise of marriage to rich older men in countries in the Middle East.
