Semantics or Substance? Towards a Shared Understanding of Terminology Referring to the Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children

This 119-page publication from the NGO Group for the Convention on the Rights of the Child's Subgroup Against Sexual Exploitation of Children highlights the need for increased understanding and clarity when certain terms are used to describe sexual harm against children. The authors argue that "analysis becomes almost impossible if different countries utilise different definitions for the same terms. Legislation can reflect large loopholes and protection gaps, while responses can suffer from a misunderstanding about prevalence, practice and perception."

The 14 terms discussed in this publication were selected by the Subgroup as the "most commonly used and often misunderstood". The confusion surrounding these terms is believed by the authors "to be indicative of a much wider problem". No effort is made by the authors to recommend the use of one definition over another, but only to present the variety of uses of each term for further consideration.

The first part of the publication discusses the 14 terms and their varied use within the field.

1. Child prostitution
2. Child sex tourism
3. Child marriage
4. Child pornography
5. Trafficking in children
6. Child sexual abuse
7. Paedophilia
8. Commercial sexual exploitation of children
9. Who is a child?
10. Worst forms of child labour
11. Forced marriage
12. Incest
13. Adoption
14. Female genital mutilation

The second part of the publication cites the use of these terms by various international instruments. In this section the authors argue that, "As a reading of these instruments makes clear, the absence of clear and consistent definitions creates ambiguities, and it is misleading to assume that an understanding of certain terms is shared across the board." Creating such a shared understanding, the authors state, "is an essential part of a substantive approach to child protection."

In short, the Subgroup Against Sexual Exploitation of Children recommends that United Nations (UN) and international agencies "continuously consult a broad spectrum of specialised organisations, including NGOs [non-governmental organisations] that have specific expertise in the relevant field, to ensure that the most appropriate definition is employed. NGOs, too, should be mindful of the definitions they use and seek to adopt a universal understanding wherever possible."