WHEREAS Article 34 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child states that participating countries shall undertake to protect the child from all forms of sexual exploitation and sexual abuse. For these purposes, States Parties shall in particular take all appropriate national, bilateral and multilateral measures to prevent: aThe inducement or coercion of a child to engage in any unlawful sexual activity; bThe exploitative use of children in prostitution or other unlawful sexual practices; cThe exploitative use of children in pornographic performances and materials; AND WHEREAS there are a significant number of youth involved in the sex trade in the Lower Mainland and other parts of the province; AND WHEREAS the reasons for children becoming involved in the sex trade are multi-factorial: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Union of BC Municipalities request that the provincial government support a province-wide network that incorporates youth, schools, parents, educators, police, social services, drug and alcohol counsellors and the Crown, which would focus on the education of youth and the criminal prosecution of those who are involved in all forms of sexual exploitation and sexual abuse of children.
MINISTRY OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY DEVELOPMENT On May 17, 2004, MCFD announced it was beginning consultation on a Safe Care discussion paper in preparation for the introduction of proposed legislation in the spring 2005 session. The proposed Safe Care Act will provide for the involuntary detainment of commercially sexually exploited youth when they are unable or unwilling to access help through voluntary measures. British Columbias proposed Safe Care Act is designed to meet the needs of young people who are commercially sexually exploited and for whom the safeguards of family, school and community have broken down. The proposed Safe Care legislation will replace the Secure Care Act that was passed in July 2000, but which was not proclaimed into force. The new Safe Care Act will focus policy direction and services on the commercial sexual exploitation of children and will address many of the issues identified in the consultation process that took place between November 2000 and February 2001 and involved over 800 stakeholders. Five core values provide a foundation for the safe care legislative structure, program and service delivery: a Child prostitution is sexual abuse, not a lifestyle choice. b Safe care is a protective intervention, not a punitive intervention. c Safe care is a protective intervention, not a preventative intervention. d Safe care services do not replace any existing services in the community. e New, involuntary safe care placements must be supported by additional resources for new, voluntary services.