Bridging the Gap: Broken Chalk Marks World Rural Development Day with a Call for Equal Education Access.

Bridging the Gap: Broken Chalk Marks World Rural Development Day with a Call for Equal Education Access.
PRESS RELEASE

Amsterdam, The Netherlands – 16 July 2025 – On this World Rural Development Day, Broken Chalk reaffirms its unwavering commitment to closing the rural-urban divide in education.

Bridging the Gap: Broken Chalk Marks World Rural Development Day with a Call for Equal Education Access

Amsterdam, The Netherlands – 16 July 2025.  

On this World Rural Development Day, Broken Chalk reaffirms its unwavering commitment to closing the rural-urban divide in education. 

As the world highlights the role of rural communities in sustainable development, we call attention to the millions of learners in these areas who are being left behind—by geography, by infrastructure, and by policy.

The theme promoted by the United Nations for this observance recognizes the vital contributions rural populations make to food security, climate resilience, and cultural preservation.

However, education remains the missing link in unlocking the full potential of rural communities.

In many parts of the world, especially in the Global South, access to quality education is not a right—it’s a privilege, and one far too often denied to rural children.

Broken Chalk, an international human rights organization dedicated to eliminating education inequality, has consistently exposed the systemic barriers faced by rural learners, from a lack of trained teachers and digital infrastructure to language barriers and cultural marginalization.

Rural girls, children with disabilities, and those in conflict zones face even steeper challenges.

The Broken Chalk team and its interns firmly believe that “Without equitable access to education, rural development is merely a slogan.” True empowerment of rural communities must begin with classrooms that are inclusive, accessible, and grounded in cultural relevance.

In alignment with the UN’s 2030 Agenda and SDG 4 (Quality Education), Broken Chalk continues to advocate for increased public investment in rural schools and digital learning infrastructure.

Localized teacher training and incentives to retain educators in underserved regions.

Protection of education in rural conflict zones.

Culturally sensitive curricula that reflect the realities and wisdom of rural life.

Voices from the Field.

Broken Chalk’s recent field research and interviews with rural youth in Sub-Saharan Africa reveal a shared desire: “We don’t want to leave our villages to learn; we want to learn and stay, to grow our own communities.”

To support rural resilience, education cannot be an afterthought—it must be the cornerstone.

On this World Rural Development Day, Broken Chalk invites educators, policymakers, and civil society groups to join hands in creating inclusive educational ecosystems. Because when we uplift rural learners, we uplift the world.

 

Download the pdf here.

 

Featured Photo: Adobe Stock/Lertluck Thipchai

Sources:

www.brokenchalk.org

https://www.un.org/en/observances/rural-development-day

Education Monitor: Around The Globe between June 1st and June 51th, 2025 Edition

Broken Chalk proudly presents a new edition of “Education Monitor: Around the Globe” between June 1st and June 15th, 2025 Broken Chalk aims with this letter to increase public awareness of educational problems, challenges, and violations in the scope of the world. This newsletter is unique. This is a weekly newsletter in which we attempt to monitor and convey educational news from around the world in a concise manner. This monitor will be published biweekly with the effort of our young and enthusiastic team.

You can contribute to our work if you like. If you witness any violations in the scope of education, you can write the comment part of this post. Broken Chalk will try to address the issue in its next monitor edition.

June-1st-till-June-15th-2025

 

To download this edition as a PDF, click here

Broken Chalk Platform, in March 2019, was founded by a group of educators abroad who experienced and have been experiencing severe human rights violations in Turkey and had to ask for asylum in several countries.

These education volunteers also suffered greatly and started their new lives in their new countries without human rights violations. They gained respect just because they were considered human beings in those countries. However, they left one part of their minds and hearts in their homeland. They assigned themselves a new duty, and the human rights violations they left behind had to be announced to the World. A group of education volunteers who came together for this purpose started their activities under the Broken Chalk platform’s umbrella. However, the Broken Chalk platform was not enough to serve their aims. Therefore, they completed their official establishment as a Human Rights Foundation in October 2020.

Broken Chalk is now much more than a platform, and we have reviewed and enlarged our vision and mission within this framework. Violations of rights would be the first in our agenda in the field of Education all over the World. At the point we reached today, Broken Chalk opened its door to all individuals from all across the globe, from all professions, and to all individuals who say or can say ‘I also want to stand against violations of human rights in Education for our future and whole humanity, where our generations grow up together.’

Education is essential because it can help us eliminate the evils from society, introduce, and increase the good. We want to draw the public’s and stakeholders’ attention to the fact that Education is in danger in several different parts of the World. The attacks are wide-reaching, from the bombing of schools to the murder of students and teachers. Raping and sexual violence, arbitrary arrests, and forced recruitment also occurred, instigated by armed groups. Attacks on Education harm the students and teachers but also affect the communities in the short and long term.

We invite all individuals who want to stop human rights violations in Education to become Volunteers at Broken Chalk.

Education Monitor: Around The Globe between May 16th and May 31st, 2025 Edition

Broken Chalk proudly presents a new edition of “Education Monitor: Around the Globe” between May 16th and May 31st, 2025 Broken Chalk aims with this letter to increase public awareness of educational problems, challenges, and violations in the scope of the world. This newsletter is unique. This is a weekly newsletter in which we attempt to monitor and convey educational news from around the world in a concise manner. This monitor will be published biweekly with the effort of our young and enthusiastic team.

You can contribute to our work if you like. If you witness any violations in the scope of education, you can write the comment part of this post. Broken Chalk will try to address the issue in its next monitor edition.

May-16th-till-May-31st-2025

 

To download this edition as a PDF, click here

Broken Chalk Platform, in March 2019, was founded by a group of educators abroad who experienced and have been experiencing severe human rights violations in Turkey and had to ask for asylum in several countries.

These education volunteers also suffered greatly and started their new lives in their new countries without human rights violations. They gained respect just because they were considered human beings in those countries. However, they left one part of their minds and hearts in their homeland. They assigned themselves a new duty, and the human rights violations they left behind had to be announced to the World. A group of education volunteers who came together for this purpose started their activities under the Broken Chalk platform’s umbrella. However, the Broken Chalk platform was not enough to serve their aims. Therefore, they completed their official establishment as a Human Rights Foundation in October 2020.

Broken Chalk is now much more than a platform, and we have reviewed and enlarged our vision and mission within this framework. Violations of rights would be the first in our agenda in the field of Education all over the World. At the point we reached today, Broken Chalk opened its door to all individuals from all across the globe, from all professions, and to all individuals who say or can say ‘I also want to stand against violations of human rights in Education for our future and whole humanity, where our generations grow up together.’

Education is essential because it can help us eliminate the evils from society, introduce, and increase the good. We want to draw the public’s and stakeholders’ attention to the fact that Education is in danger in several different parts of the World. The attacks are wide-reaching, from the bombing of schools to the murder of students and teachers. Raping and sexual violence, arbitrary arrests, and forced recruitment also occurred, instigated by armed groups. Attacks on Education harm the students and teachers but also affect the communities in the short and long term.

We invite all individuals who want to stop human rights violations in Education to become Volunteers at Broken Chalk.

Education Monitor: Around The Globe between May 1st and May 15th, 2025 Edition

Broken Chalk proudly presents a new edition of “Education Monitor: Around the Globe” between May 1st and May 15th, 2025 Broken Chalk aims with this letter to increase public awareness of educational problems, challenges, and violations in the scope of the world. This newsletter is unique. This is a weekly newsletter in which we attempt to monitor and convey educational news from around the world in a concise manner. This monitor will be published biweekly with the effort of our young and enthusiastic team.

You can contribute to our work if you like. If you witness any violations in the scope of education, you can write the comment part of this post. Broken Chalk will try to address the issue in its next monitor edition.

May-1st-till-May-15th-2025

 

To download this edition as a PDF, click here

Broken Chalk Platform, in March 2019, was founded by a group of educators abroad who experienced and have been experiencing severe human rights violations in Turkey and had to ask for asylum in several countries.

These education volunteers also suffered greatly and started their new lives in their new countries without human rights violations. They gained respect just because they were considered human beings in those countries. However, they left one part of their minds and hearts in their homeland. They assigned themselves a new duty, and the human rights violations they left behind had to be announced to the World. A group of education volunteers who came together for this purpose started their activities under the Broken Chalk platform’s umbrella. However, the Broken Chalk platform was not enough to serve their aims. Therefore, they completed their official establishment as a Human Rights Foundation in October 2020.

Broken Chalk is now much more than a platform, and we have reviewed and enlarged our vision and mission within this framework. Violations of rights would be the first in our agenda in the field of Education all over the World. At the point we reached today, Broken Chalk opened its door to all individuals from all across the globe, from all professions, and to all individuals who say or can say ‘I also want to stand against violations of human rights in Education for our future and whole humanity, where our generations grow up together.’

Education is essential because it can help us eliminate the evils from society, introduce, and increase the good. We want to draw the public’s and stakeholders’ attention to the fact that Education is in danger in several different parts of the World. The attacks are wide-reaching, from the bombing of schools to the murder of students and teachers. Raping and sexual violence, arbitrary arrests, and forced recruitment also occurred, instigated by armed groups. Attacks on Education harm the students and teachers but also affect the communities in the short and long term.

We invite all individuals who want to stop human rights violations in Education to become Volunteers at Broken Chalk.

Child sexual exploitation in the United Kingdom

Child sexual exploitation is a devastating problem that continues to be persistent all around the world, including in the United Kingdom. The UK has taken several steps to combat CSE, such as implementing legislation, developing policies and programs, and collaboratingwith various entities. In this article, we will explore these efforts.

But first, what is child sexual exploitation? The UK government has defined Child sexual exploitation as a form of child sexual abuse. Which occurs where an individual or group takes advantage of an imbalance of power to coerce, manipulate or deceive a child into sexual activity (a) in exchange for something the victim needs or wants and/or (b) for the financial advantage or increased status of the perpetrator or facilitator. The victim may have been sexually exploited even if the sexual activity appears consensual. CSE does not always involve physical contact; it can also occur through technology. The exchange can be tangible or intangible or as the prevention of something negative, for example, a child who engages in sexual activity to stop someone from carrying out a threat to harm their family.

Legislative Actions

The UK has established an extensive legal framework to criminalize CSE. Some of the most important acts in relation to CSE are;

The Sexual Offence Act 2003 which covers most sexual crime laws in the UK. It criminalizes several offences related to CSE, such as;

– Grooming a child for sexual activity
– Paying for the sexual services of a child
– Causing/inciting/arranging/facilitating childprostitution or pornography
– Trafficking children for sexual exploitation

The Protection of Children Act 1978 which criminalizes taking, distributing, possessing with a view to distribute, or publishing indecent images of children. Later, the Criminal Justice Act 1988 criminalizes having indecent images of children in your possession.

The Online Safety Act 2023 which requires companies to prevent children from accessing harmful content online and provide easy ways to report issues when problems arise online. This act also has created measures companies must follow to tackle illegal content, such as child sexual exploitation and abuse materials, and grooming.

Lastly, the Child Sex Offender Disclosure Scheme (Sarah’s Law) which allows parents and caregivers to inquire with the police about whether an individual who interacts with their child has a record for child sexual offences.

Reporting and seeking support

When someone wants to report (suspected) child sexual exploitation or wants to reach out to receive advice orhelp, they can get in contact with the following:

– The local council’s children’s social care team, to report (suspected) child abuse
– The police, to report (suspected) child abuse
– NSPCC, to discuss concerns about suspected child abuse and to receive advice.
– ChildLine, a 24/7 free helpline for any child seeking advice or support
– Child Exploitation and Online Protection’s Child Protection Advisors, to report grooming, online sexual abuse, or the way someone is communicating online

Policies and Programs

Besides the legislative actions, several policies and programs have been developed to prevent CSE or to support its victims.

Campaigns for awareness and prevention

Some of the campaigns that have been created are;

Stop it now! campaign, created by the Lucy Faithfull Foundation. This initiative aims to prevent individualsfrom engaging in online child sexual abuse.

Something’s not Right campaign aims at helping secondary school children recognize and report exploitation.

The Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) has created two campaigns on self-generated child sexual abuse material. Firstly, the TALK campaign which encouraged parents to Talk, Ask, Learn, and Know with their children about online dangers. Secondly, the Gurls Out Loud campaign which empowers children to recognize and reject exploitative online interactions.

Besides these four campaigns, many more campaigns and initiatives have been created, covering a wide range of issues.

Training and support for professionals

To effectively prevent CSE and support victims, professionals need to have sufficient knowledge to identify and address CSE. Many training programs have been created by several NGOs and organizations;however, participation is not mandatory. This lack of enforcement limits and reduces the reach and effectiveness of these programs.

Recovery services for victims

Recovery services are essential for helping victims. One recent initiative is the Lighthouse, based on the ‘Barnahus’ model, which provides a child-friendly environment where victims receive medical care, therapy, and legal support. Unfortunately, there is currently only one Lighthouse in England and one in Scotland, limiting its reach.

​When victims seek psychological help, they are often referred to NHS services; here, victims often face long waiting times, a lack of specialized care, and an insufficient number of sessions. Additionally, the lack of consistent funding for services like Rape Referral Centers worsens these problems.

Collaboration

Addressing CSE requires cooperation across agencies, sectors, and borders. The UK has made significant efforts in collaboration to combat CSE.

National partnerships

Nationally, mechanisms such as the Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) and the Hydrant program have been created. MAPPA is focused on bringing together police, probation, and social services to manage risks posed by offenders. Whereas the Hydrant Program leads the CSE task force, developingbest-practice advice, developing strategies, and creatingpolicies for tackling CSE.

International Cooperation

As CSE is a borderless crime and a global problem, it is important that international cooperation exists. Some of the cooperations and initiatives the UK has been part of are;

– WeProtect Global Alliance, uniting 300 members worldwide to combat OCSE
– The Five Country Ministerial, an annual conference that brings together the UK, USA, Canada, and New Zealand. Together, they created the ‘Five Eyes Voluntary Principles to Counter Online Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse’. These principles are created for companies and cover issues such as online grooming and live streaming of child sexual abuse to industry transparency and reporting
– The virtual Global Task Force, a partnership of law enforcement agencies around the world who operate together to tackle global (online) child sex abuse.

To conclude, despite these efforts, gaps and challenges remain. Mandatory training for professionals is still lacking, and recovery services for victims are underfunded. Victims have stated that the waiting time for mental health support is way too long and have highlighted a lack of specialized care. The reach of initiatives like the Lighthouse must be expanded, and consistent funding for victim services must be established. Lastly, greater data collection and monitoring of victims is needed.

Sources:

Department for Education ‘Guidance; Child Sexual Exploitation: definition and guide for  practitioners’ (United Kingdom Government, 2017) https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/child-sexual-exploitation-definition-and-guide-for-practitioners Accessed 30 October.

Sexual Offences Act 2003

’Protection of Children Act 1978

Criminal Justice Act 1988  

Online Safety Act 2023

Department for Science, Innovation & Technology, ‘Guidance: Online Safety Act: explainer’ (UK Gov, 8 May 2024)

<https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/online-safety-act-explainer/online-safety-act-explainer> accessed 2 January 2025.

Almudena Lara, ‘How the Online Safety Act will help to protect children’ (Ofcom, 6 February 2024) <https://www.ofcom.org.uk/online-safety/protecting-children/how-the-online-safety-act-will-help-to-protect-children/> accessed 2 January 2025.

Home Office, ‘Guidance: Find out if a person has a record for child sexual offences’ (UK Gov, 26 March 2013) <https://www.gov.uk/guidance/find-out-if-a-person-has-a-record-for-child-sexual-offences#:~:text=information%20for%20practitioners-,Overview,by%20a%20convicted%20sex%20offender.> accessed 27 December 2024.

‘Calls To Make Reporting Child Abuse A Legal Requirement’ (Personnel Checks Limited, 14 November)

<https://www.personnelchecks.co.uk/latest-news/calls-to-make-reporting-child-abuse-a-legal-requirement#:~:text=Under%20current%20rules%2C%20the%20reporting,board%20social%20workers%20(Northern%20Ireland> Accessed 10 December 2024.

‘Working Together to Safeguard Children 2023’ (HM Government, 2023) <https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/669e7501ab418ab055592a7b/Working_together_to_safeguard_children_2023.pdf> page 7, accessed 10 December.

‘Report child abuse’ (UK Gov) <https://www.gov.uk/report-child-abuse#:~:text=If%20you%27re%20worried%20that,child%20is%20at%20immediate%20risk.> accessed 27 December 2024.

Tim Loughton, ‘Press release: Government confirms future funding for children’s charity and helpline’ (UK Gov, 15 February 2011) <https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-confirms-future-funding-for-childrens-charity-and-helpline> accessed 18 November 2024.

‘CEOP Safety Centre’ (Child Exploitation and Online protection) <https://www.ceop.police.uk/Safety-Centre/> accessed 17 January 2025.  

‘How can CEOP help me?’ (Child Exploitation and Online protection) <https://www.ceop.police.uk/Safety-Centre/How-can-CEOP-help-me-YP/> accessed 17 January 2025.

‘Deterrence Campaign’ (Stop it now) <https://www.stopitnow.org.uk/deterrence-campaign/> accessed 10 December 2024.

Home Office ‘Policy Paper Tackling Child Sexual Abuse Strategy’ (UK Gov, 7 June 2021) <https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/tackling-child-sexual-abuse-strategy/tackling-child-sexual-abuse-strategy-accessible-version>  accessed 19 December 2024.

Kat Rado-Barnes ‘Home Office launches ‘Something’s not right’ campaign’ (GMCVO, 8 February 2021) https://www.gmcvo.org.uk/news/home-office-launches-%E2%80%98something%E2%80%99s-not-right%E2%80%99-campaign> accessed 11 December 2024.

‘‘Self-generated’ child sexual abuse prevention campaign’ (Internet Watch Foundation) https://www.iwf.org.uk/about-us/our-campaigns/talk-and-gurls-out-loud-self-generated-child-sexual-abuse-prevention-campaign/> accessed 2 January 2025.

‘Helping children and young people stay safe online’ (UK Safer Internet Centre) <https://saferinternet.org.uk/> accessed 5 January 2025.

‘IWF Annual Report 2023’ (International Watch Foundation) https://www.iwf.org.uk/annual-report-2023/ accessed 5 January 2025.

‘first to a million’ (Child Exploitation and Online Protection Command) <https://www.ceopeducation.co.uk/parents/home-activity-worksheets/11-13s/first-to-a-million/> accessed 20 December 2024.

‘About Ivision Trust’ (Ivision Trust) https://ivisontrust.org.uk/about-ivison/ accessed 15 December 2024.

‘Child exploitation disruption toolkit’ (Home Office, 2022) <https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1101687/Child_Exploitation_Disruption_Toolkit_082022.pdf> accessed 19 November 2024.

‘Keeping children safe in education 2024; Statutory guidance for schools and colleges’ (Department for Education, 2024) <https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/66d7301b9084b18b95709f75/Keeping_children_safe_in_education_2024.pdf> accessed 19 November 2024.

‘Child Sexual Exploitation programme’ (NHS) <https://www.e-lfh.org.uk/programmes/child-sexual-exploitation/> accessed 20 December 2024.

‘Understanding child sexual abuse training’ (NSPCC Learning) <https://learning.nspcc.org.uk/training/understanding-child-sexual-abuse> accessed 20 December 2024.

‘Improving the response to child sexual abuse in policing’ (Centre of expertise on child sexual abuse, 2022) <https://www.csacentre.org.uk/app/uploads/2023/10/Police-training-pilots-learning-report-Dec-2022.pdf> accessed 27 December 2024.

‘The Lighthouse: A safe space for child sexual abuse victims in the UK’ (Barnahus, 2020) <https://www.barnahus.eu/en/the-lighthouse-a-safe-space-for-child-sexual-abuse-victims-in-the-uk/> accessed 20 December 2024.

Home Office ‘Policy Paper Tackling Child Sexual Abuse Strategy’ (UK Gov, 7 June 2021) <https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/tackling-child-sexual-abuse-strategy/tackling-child-sexual-abuse-strategy-accessible-version>  accessed 19 December 2024.

Anna Markina, Andreas Kapardis, Svenja Heinrich ‘The Barnahus Model Across the Broader European Context’ (Integrated Trauma Informed Therapy of Child Victims of Violence) <https://www.iprs.it/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/The-Barnahus-Model-COMPLETE.pdf> page 16, accessed 2 January 2025.

‘Report of the Children’s Commissioners of the United Kingdom of Great Britian and Northern Ireland to the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child’ (Children’s Commissioners of the United Kingdom of Great Britian and Northern Ireland, 2020) page 15, accessed 12 December 2024.

‘Bairns’ Hoose supports over 270 children and families in first year’ (Scottish Legal News, 2024)<https://www.scottishlegal.com/articles/bairns-hoose-supports-over-270-children-and-families-in-first-year> accessed 28 December 2024.

Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills ‘Policy; Child protection’ (Scottish Government) <https://www.gov.scot/policies/child-protection/bairns-hoose/> accessed 28 December 2024.

‘Code of Practice for Victims of Crime in England and Wales’ (Ministry of Justice, 2020) page 7 accessed 18 November 2024.

‘The Report of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse’ (Independent Inquiry Child Sexual Abuse, 2022) <https://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ukgwa/20221215051709/https:/www.iicsa.org.uk/key-documents/31216/view/report-independent-inquiry-into-child-sexual-abuse-october-2022_0.pdf> accessed 29 November 2024.

‘closure without a commitment to continued funding after March 2025’ (Rape crisis England & Wales, 2024) < https://rapecrisis.org.uk/news/rape-crisis-centres-at-risk-of-closure-without-a-commitment-to-continued-funding-after-march-2025/> accessed 7 January 2025.

‘Combined sixth and seventh periodic reports submitted by the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland under article 44 of the Convention, due in 2022’ (2022) CRC/C/GBR/6-7.

‘Concluding observations on the combined sixth and seventh periodic reports of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland’ (2023) CRC/C/GBR/CO/6-7 para 32.

‘Report of the Children’s Commissioners of the United Kingdom of Great Britian and Northern Ireland to the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child’ (Children’s Commissioners of the United Kingdom of Great Britian and Northern Ireland, 2020) page 18, accessed 12 December 2024.

‘Child sexual exploitation by organised networks’ (Independent Inquiry Child Sexual Abuse, 2022) <https://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ukgwa/20221214211258/https:/www.iicsa.org.uk/key-documents/28314/view/child-sexual-abuse-organised-networks-investigation-report-february-2022.pdf> page 3, accessed 22 November 2024.

‘Campaigns’ (NSPCC) <https://www.nspcc.org.uk/support-us/campaigns/> accessed 14 January 2025.

‘UK policy work’ (Internet Watch Foundation) <https://www.iwf.org.uk/policy-work/uk-policy/> accessed 3 January 2025.

‘Working Together to Safeguard Children 2023’ (HM Government, 2023) <https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/669e7501ab418ab055592a7b/Working_together_to_safeguard_children_2023.pdf> para 282, accessed 10 December.

‘Child Sexual Exploitation Taskforce’ (Hydrant Programme) <https://www.hydrantprogramme.co.uk/assets/Documents/CSE-Taskforce-Flyer-A5-2pp-May23.pdf> accessed 21 January 2025

Home Office ‘Policy Paper Tackling Child Sexual Abuse Strategy’ (UK Gov, 7 June 2021) <https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/tackling-child-sexual-abuse-strategy/tackling-child-sexual-abuse-strategy-accessible-version> paragraph 239 accessed 21 January 2025.

‘About the Alliance’ (We Protect Global Alliance) <https://www.weprotect.org/about-us/> accessed 8 January 2025.

‘Voluntary Principles to Counter Online Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse’ (We Protect Global Alliance, 2020) <https://www.weprotect.org/resources/library/voluntary-principles-to-counter-online-child-sexual-exploitation-and-abuse/> accessed 10 January 2025.

‘What is RSH’ (Resource & Support Hub) <https://safeguardingsupporthub.org/what-rsh> accessed January 3 January 2025.

NCA marks end of term as Chair of Virtual Global Taskforce(National Crime Agency) <https://www.nationalcrimeagency.gov.uk/news/nca-marks-end-of-term-as-chair-of-virtual-global-taskforce> accessed 5 November 2024.

 

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Featured photo from Unsplash by K. Mitch Hodge

Child sexual exploitation in the Netherlands

Child sexual exploitation is a devastating problem that continues to be persistent all around the world, including in the Netherlands. The Netherlands has taken several steps to combat CSE,  such as implementing legislation, developing policies and programs, and collaborating with various entities. In this article, we will explore these efforts.

​But first, how has the Netherlands defined CSE?Sexual exploitation is defined as forcing someone to perform sexual services in exchange for payment, which could include money, clothing, food, etc. Unfortunately, the Netherlands does not create special legislation forCSE. Under Dutch law, sexual exploitation is seen as a form of human trafficking; this is very problematic, as some forms of CSE are connected with human trafficking, but many forms are not.

Legislative actions

The Netherlands has implemented several laws addressing CSE. The most important ones are:

The Dutch Penal Code which criminalizes the following:

– Inducing minors to engage in sexual acts for payment
– Coercing individuals to benefit financially from the sexual exploitation of others
– Engaging in sexual acts with an individual knowing or suspecting they are being exploited
– Possessing, producing, distributing, or accessing child sexual abuse material
– Attending performances involving sexual acts with minors

The Eradication of Online Child Pornographic Material Act which went into force 1st of January 2025. This Act mandates that hosting companies promptly remove CSAM from their servers; if companies do not comply, they will face fines. This Act could make a big difference as the Netherlands is a major host of CSAM globally, in 2021, 41% of URLS hosting CSAM reported werehosted on Dutch servers.

While these laws and acts show the Netherlands’ effortsto combat and address CSE, there are significant gaps, such as the lack of legislation addressing CSE independently of human trafficking, leaving certain forms of exploitation unaddressed. Additionally, the Media Act 2008 restricts harmful content for children, fails to reflect the complexities of the modern digital environment, and does not properly protect children on the internet.

Victim support and helplines

Victims of CSE and children have access to several helplines to discuss their problems such as the Kindertelefoon, Slachtoffer hulp Nederland, and Hulplijn Seksueel Misbruik, all offering advice and referrals to specialized support if needed. Additionally, one contactthe Children’s Rights Helpdesk to receive information on what rights a child has and how to help a child. Lastly, one can also contact CoMensha’s national helpdesk for issues related to human trafficking, such as registration of victims and advice on legal matters, shelter, specialist care, assistance, and counselling.

Victims of CSE can access general support through Slachtoffer hulp, which offers judicial and psychological assistance. However, studies have shown a lack of specialized care, long waiting lists, and insufficient national oversight of service quality.

Policies and Programs

A few policies and programs have been launched in the Netherlands to address CSE, although most efforts are part of broader anti-human trafficking initiatives.

Municipal role

Municipalities play an important role in identifying and addressing all forms of human trafficking, including CSE, as most of the policies surrounding human trafficking are managed by the municipalities. However, the absence of a standardized national framework has resulted in inconsistent approaches, which has made it difficult for municipalities to cooperate with each other. Additionally, many municipalities struggle to connect youth care services with education and social support, limiting their ability to provide adequate help to children.

National and International campaign

Some of the campaigns launched in recent years are:

– The Combatting Human Trafficking Togetherprogram which is focused on prevention, protection, and prosecution. Aiming to increase awareness, improve victim identification, and enhance cooperation.
– The Don’t Look Away campaign which educated people on how to report suspected child exploitation, even when abroad.
– CoMensha has created many awareness-raising sessions for professionals, including for doctors and youth aid workers.

Despite these efforts, gaps remain as very few programs specifically target CSE.

Cooperation, monitoring, and accountability

Collaboration with international organizations and NGOs is integral to the Netherlands’ approach to combatting CSE. As CSE is a borderless crime.

International cooperation

Some of the international cooperations the Netherlands has been part of are;

– Down to Zero Alliance which is focused on preventing child exploitation in Asia and Latin America.
– The European Multidisciplinary Platform Against Crime Threats which targets organized crime, including CSE.

Monitoring

Monitoring of victims and perpetrators within the Netherlands is severely lacking. It is believed only around 3% of underage sexual exploitation victims are visible to authorities, leaving the majority invisible and thus without support. In 2021, CoMensha registered 63 underage victims of sexual exploitation, while the estimated number is around 1300 children. This gap highlights the need for improved data collection.

​Additionally, perpetrators of CSE in the Netherlands have relatively few supervision processes during their probation service and lack access to specialized resocialization programs. Coincidently, re-offending rates are much higher than the average for other crimes. Within two years, 36% of perpetrators re-offend, and 65% re-offend within seven years. Addressing this issue is essential in the fight against CSE.

NGOs

The government takes NGOs seriously and will request their help in modernizing laws and request advice when needed. However, drastic government funding cuts await NGOs; between 2026 and 2030, the government will cut one billion euros from their subsidy framework for NGOs, going from 1.4 billion euros to somewhere between €390 to €565 million. This will limit the resources of NGOs that play a critical role in combatting CSE.

The Netherlands has made efforts to combat CSE through legislation, policies and programs, and cooperation. However, significant challenges remain. Such as the lack of legislation explicitly addressing CSE, inconsistencies in municipal approaches, and inadequate support for victims hinder the Netherlands’ ability to prevent CSE and to support victims.

Sources:

Types of human trafficking’ (National Rapporteur on Trafficking in Human Beings and Sexual Violence against Children) https://www.dutchrapporteur.nl/trafficking-in-human-beings/types-of-human-trafficking Accessed 30 October 2024.

Wetboek van Strafrecht.

‘Wet bestuursrechtelijke aanpak online kinderpornografisch materiaal’ (Eersta Kamer der Staten-Generaal, 2023) https://www.eerstekamer.nl/wetsvoorstel/36377_wet_bestuursrechtelijke accessed 5 January 2025.

‘Authority may require hosting companies to remove online child sexual abuse material from servers’ (Government of the Netherlands, 2024) <https://www.government.nl/latest/news/2024/06/05/authority-may-require-hosting-companies-to-remove-online-child-sexual-abuse-material-from-servers> accessed 7 January 2025.

‘The Annual Report – 2021’ (Internet Watch Foundation, 2022) https://annualreport2021.iwf.org.uk accessed 27 October 2024.

Media wet 2008 artikel 4.1.A

‘Kindertelefoon voortaan betaald door de Rijksoverheid’ (NOS, 2017) <https://nos.nl/artikel/2176331-kindertelefoon-voortaan-betaald-door-de-rijksoverheid> accessed 19 November 2024.

‘Seksueel geweld’ (veilig thuis) <https://veiligthuiszl.nl/over-huiselijk-geweld/seksueel-geweld/> accessed 15 December 2024.

‘Direct hulp voor slachtoffers’ (Slachtoffer hulp Nederland) <https://www.slachtofferhulp.nl/> accessed 23 December 2024.

‘Kinderrechtenhelpdesk’ (Defence for Children) <https://www.defenceforchildren.nl/wat-doen-we/kinderrechtenhelpdesk/> accessed 3 January 2025.

‘Comensha’ (Slachtofferwijzer) <https://slachtofferwijzer.nl/organisatie/comensha> accessed 7 January 2025.

‘Meldcode huiselijk geweld en kindermishandeling’ (Rijksoverheid) <https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/onderwerpen/huiselijk-geweld/meldcode> accessed 5 January 2025.

‘Hoe werkt veilig thuis?’ (Veilig thuis) <https://veiligthuis.nl/hoe-werkt-veilig-thuis/> accessed 7 January 2025.

‘Reporting child abuse and domestic violence’ (Netherlands Enterprise Agency) <https://business.gov.nl/regulation/reporting-child-abuse-domestic-violence/> accessed 9 January 2025.

Susanna Greijer, Jaap Doek ‘Terminology guidelines for the protection of children from sexual exploitation and sexual abuse’ (Interagency Working Group, 2016) https://ecpat.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Terminology-guidelines-396922-EN-1.pdf Accessed 27 Novemner 2024.

‘Seksuele uitbuiting’ (Nederlands Jeugdinstituut) <https://www.nji.nl/seksuele-uitbuiting/rol-gemeente-bij-aanpak> accessed 10 January 2025.

Pepijn Hoekstra, Bram Jenster, Laurien van Eil ‘Onderzoek aanpak mensenhandel in gemeenten’ (VNG, 2023) https://vng.nl/sites/default/files/2023-04/rapportage-aanpak-mensenhandel-in-gemeenten-2023-final-21032023.pdfpage 14, accessed 13 January 2025.

‘Children’s rights in the Netherlands 2015-2020’ (Kinderechten Collectief, 2021) INT_CRC_NGO_NLD_35899_E, page 14.

 ‘Actieplan programma samen tegen mensenhandel’ (Rijksoverheid, 2023) <https://open.overheid.nl/documenten/218dcc97-41f0-4224-bd3b-fdc3f9fb737d/file> Page 6, accessed 6 January 2025.

‘Our History’ (ecpat)<https://ecpat.org/our-history/#:~:text=We%20no%20longer%20use%20the,the%20sexual%20exploitation%20of%20children.> accessed 20 November 2024.

‘Don’t look away’ (Don’t look away always report) <https://dontlookaway.report/>

‘Jouw twijfel iemands kans’ (Comensha) <https://www.comensha.nl/jouw-twijfel-iemands-kans/> accessed 25 November 2024.

‘Het beeld van 2023’ (CoMensha, 2024) <https://publicaties.comensha.nl/het_beeld_van_2023/voorlichting_bewustwording> page 14, accessed 2 January 2025.

‘Rechten voor slachtoffers en nabestaanden’ (Rijksoverheid) <https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/onderwerpen/slachtofferbeleid/rechten-voor-slachtoffers-en-nabestaanden> accessed 23 November 2024.

‘Report To the 88th session of the Committee on the Rights of the Child on the consideration of the 5th and 6th report of the Kingdom of The Netherlands’ (Netherlands Institute for Human Rights) INT_CRC_NGO_NLD_44842_E, page 8.

‘Combined fifth and sixth periodic reports submitted by the Netherlands under article 44 of the Convention pursuant to simplified reporting procedure, due in 2019’ (2021) CRC/C/NLD/5-6.

‘Concluding observations on the combined fifth and sixth periodic reports of the Kingdom of the Netherlands’ (2022) CRC/C/NLD/CO/5-6 para 39.b.

‘Het beeld van 2023’ (CoMensha, 2024) <https://publicaties.comensha.nl/het_beeld_van_2023/voorlichting_bewustwording> page 7, accessed 2 January 2025.

‘Eerste bezuinigingen ontwikkelingshulp bekend: subsidies ngo’s gaan op de schop’ (Rijksoverheid, 2024) <https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/actueel/nieuws/2024/11/11/eerste-bezuinigingen-ontwikkelingshulp-bekend-subsidies-ngos-gaan-op-de-schop> accessed 17 November 2024.

‘Centrum Kinderhandel & Mensenhandel’ (Centrum Kinderhandel & Mensenhandel) <https://www.hetckm.nl/> accessed 5 January 2025.

Conny Rijken ‘Dadermonitor mensenhandel 2017-2021’ (Nationaal Rapporteur Mensenhandel en Seksueel Geweld tegen Kinderen, 2022) <https://www.nationaalrapporteur.nl/binaries/nationaalrapporteur/documenten/rapporten/2022/12/06/dadermonitor-mensenhandel-2017-2021/Nationaal+Rapporteur+-+Dadermonitor+mensenhandel+2017-2021.pdf> accessed 6 January 2025.

Majorie Kaandorp ‘Onderzoek analyse werkveld bestrijding seksuele uitbuiting van kinderen’ (Buitenlandse Zaken, 2022) <Bijlage+1+-+eindrapport+Analyse+Werkveld+Bestrijding+Seksuele+Uitbuiting+van+Kinderen.pdf> page 11, accessed january 3 2025.

‘Actieplan programma samen tegen mensenhandel’ (Rijksoverheid, 2023) <https://open.overheid.nl/documenten/218dcc97-41f0-4224-bd3b-fdc3f9fb737d/file> accessed 6 January 2025.

‘EMPACT fighting crime together’ (European Commission, 2024) <https://home-affairs.ec.europa.eu/policies/law-enforcement-cooperation/empact-fighting-crime-together_en> accessed 23 November 2024.

‘Dutch, Indonesia, Korean national police forces join Virtual Global Taskforce at Europol Cyber Crime Center’ (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, 2013) <https://www.ice.gov/news/releases/dutch-indonesian-korean-national-police-forces-join-virtual-global-taskforce-europol> accessed 14 January 2025.

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Featured photo from Unsplash by Anita Monteiro

Child sexual exploitation in Romania

Child sexual exploitation is a devastating problem that continues to be persistent all around the world, including in Romania. Romania has taken several steps to combat CSE, such as implementing legislation, developing policies and programs, and collaborating with various entities. In this article, we will explore these efforts.

​But first, how has Romania defined CSE? Romania does not provide a definition of CSE but does define sexual exploitation under the broader definition of ‘exploitation of a person’. It is stated that exploitation of a person shall mean […] forcing into prostitution, pornographic performances with a view to the production and to engage in prostitution, pornographic performances for the production and dissemination of pornographic material or other forms of sexual exploitation […].

Legislative actions

Romania has implemented several laws addressing CSE. The most important ones are:

The Codul Penal 286/2009, which criminalizes various CSE-related crimes, such as:

– The use of child prostitution
– Soliciting minors (under 13) for sexual purposes
– Producing, distributing, or possessing child pornography
– Watching pornographic shows in which minorsparticipate
– Entice or recruit a minor for the purpose of their participation in a pornographic performance

Lege 196/2003 which prohibits the creation and management of paedophile websites, with internet providers required to block access to non-compliant websites.

Lege 272/2004, which ensures the protection against the exploitation of children and introduces measures to prevent exploitation and support victims, including their recovery and reintegration.

However, there is a significant lack of legislation onchildren digital safety. Additionally, teachers are required by law to report abuse. However, they often lack awareness or the tools to handle such situations effectively. Only 18% of the teachers have received training on recognizing and reporting child abuse.

Victim support and helplines

Several helplines and reporting services have been created to help prevent CSE or to give advice to victims of CSE. Some of these services are:

– 119, a reporting line created by the government, which anyone can call to report and prevent cases of exploitation.
– 11611 child helpline, which offers emotional support for children who are victims of exploitation. With social workers and psychologists responding to calls
– Ora de Net, a website on which people can report potentially dangerous content for a child. Additionally, there is an Ora de Net advice line,which can be contacted when someone facesproblems online, such as issues related to sexting.

Policies and Programs

Besides legislative actions, several policies and programs have been developed to prevent CSE or to support its victims.

Awareness campaigns

Two notable awareness campaigns that have been launched are:

– The Unwanted touches campaign, this campaign aimed at educating adults and children about child sexual abuse. Through this campaign, 1700 workshops were launched, reaching over 10000 adults and 40000 children, leading to a 50% increase in calls to the 11611 child helpline.
– The JUSTinACT project, this initiative created guides for parents, teachers, children, and journalists to help recognize and address child sexual abuse and online violence

Victim support programs

A few different victim support programs have been launched and created in the past five years, the three most notable ones being:

– Between 2022 and 2023, a center following the Barnahus Model was opened, which provides a child-friendly environment where victims receive medical care, therapy, and legal support.
– In 2022, the government launched the FOR THE CARE OF CHILDREN – Free counselling program,which provides free psychological counselling and psychotherapy for children.
– In 2024, a specialized training facility was opened,focused on teaching forensic interviewing techniques recognized as the most effective way of interviewing child victims.

Cooperation, monitoring, and accountability

Addressing CSE requires cooperation across agencies, sectors, and borders. Romania has made significant efforts in collaboration to combat CSE.

National and NGO collaborations

Romania funds many NGOs working on child protection.However, 70% of government–funded NGOs have expressed feeling pressured to avoid criticizing the government due to fear of losing their funding. Independent advocacy and research must be safeguarded to ensure transparency and accountability.

International cooperation

Romania has been actively participating in international cooperation to combat CSE, Such as the WeProtect Global Alliance Against Child Sexual Abuse Online, Europol, Eurojust, Interpol, and the Safer Internet Program Committee.

​Additionally, Romania has also collaborated with countries like France, the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Spain, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Austria and Sweden, all of these countries are common destinations for Romanian victims of human trafficking.

To conclude, Romania has made significant progress in combatting CSE, such as criminalizing CSE, launching awareness campaigns, and establishing victims’ support programs. However, challenges remain, such as a lack of an official definition of CSE, insufficient child digital safety laws, and limited training of professionals. These challenges must be addressed to make a greater impactin combatting CSE.

Featured Photo from Unsplash by K. Mitch Hodge

 

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International week of solidarity with the peoples of Non-Self-Governing territories 25-31 May

Every year from May 25 to May 31, the world observes the International Week of Solidarity with the Peoples of Non-Self-Governing Territories, designed to highlight the ongoing challenges faced by 17 territories that have yet to attain full self-government. Established by the UN General Assembly in resolution A/RES/54/91, this week serves as a vital reminder of international organizations’ commitment to self-determination and decolonization processes. Non-Self-Governing Territories are defined under Chapter XI of the UN Charter as regions “whose people have not yet attained a full measure of self-government.i
Non-Self-Governing Territories often lack in the realm of education. The quality of and access to schooling have already been addressed by the UN in the 50s: education “…the should be designed to familiarize the inhabitants with and train them in the use of the tools of economic, social and political progress, with a view to the attainment of a full measure of self-government.”ii  Current educational frameworks remain influenced by their administering authority, reflecting histories and priorities lacking cultural sensibility, denying the promotion of local social progress and the development of local civic consciousness connected to autochthonous histories and beliefsiii.
Broken Chalk acknowledges that true self-determination and decolonization go beyond economic and political measures, and they demand education as their foundational brick, as education has the power of fostering local identity and critical thinking. We at Broken Chalk highlight the need to shift academic curricula towards decolonization to celebrate, transmit, and teach Indigenous histories.
Featured photo from Unsplash by Tim Marshall
REFERENCES
i Nations, United. n.d. “International Week of Non-Self-Governing Territories.” United Nations. https://www.un.org/en/observances/non-self-governing-week.

 

ii General, UN. 2025. “Educational Conditions in Non-Self-Governing Territories.” United Nations Digital Library System. May 23, 2025. https://digitallibrary.un.org/record/211636?v=pdf.

 

iii General, UN. 2025. “Educational Conditions in Non-Self-Governing Territories.” United Nations Digital Library System. May 23, 2025. https://digitallibrary.un.org/record/211636?v=pdf.

Education Monitor: Around The Globe between April 15th and April 30th, 2025 Edition

Broken Chalk proudly presents a new edition of “Education Monitor: Around the Globe” between April 5sht and April 30th,, 2025 Broken Chalk aims with this letter to increase public awareness of  Educational problems, challenges, and violations in the scope of the world. This newsletter is unique. This is a weekly newsletter in which we attempt to monitor and convey educational news from around the world in a concise manner. This monitor will be published biweekly with the effort of our young and enthusiastic team.

You can contribute to our work if you like. If you witness any violations in the scope of education, you can write the comment part of this post. Broken Chalk will try to address the issue in its next monitor edition.

April-15th-till-April-30th-2025

To download this edition as a PDF, click here

Broken Chalk Platform, in March 2019, was founded by a group of educators abroad who experienced and have been experiencing severe human rights violations in Turkey and had to ask for asylum currently in several countries.

These education volunteers also suffered greatly and started their new lives in their new countries without human rights violations. They gained respect just because they were considered human beings in those countries. However, they left one part of their minds and hearts in their homeland. They assigned themselves a new duty, and the human rights violations they left behind had to be announced to the World. A group of education volunteers who came together for this purpose started their activities under the Broken Chalk platform’s umbrella. However, the Broken Chalk platform was not enough to serve their aims. Therefore, they completed their official establishment as a Human Rights Foundation in October 2020.

Broken Chalk is now much more than a platform, and we have reviewed and enlarged our vision and mission within this framework. Violations of rights would be the first in our agenda in the field of Education all over the World. At the point we reached today, Broken Chalk opened its door to all individuals from all across the globe, from all professions, and to all individuals who say or can say ‘I also want to stand against violations of human rights in Education for our future and whole humanity, where our generations grow up together.’

Education is essential because it can help us eliminate the evils from society, introduce, and increase the good. We want to draw the public’s and stakeholders’ attention to the fact that Education is in danger in several different parts of the World. The attacks are wide-reaching, from the bombing of schools to the murder of students and teachers. Raping and sexual violence, arbitrary arrests, and forced recruitment also occurred, instigated by armed groups. Attacks on Education harm the students and teachers but also affect the communities in the short and long term.

We invite all individuals who want to stop human rights violations in Education to become Volunteers at Broken Chalk.

Education Monitor: Around The Globe between April1st and April15th, 2025 Edition

Broken Chalk proudly presents a new edition of “Education Monitor: Around the Globe” between April 1st and April 15th,, 2025 Broken Chalk aims with this letter to increase public awareness of  Educational problems, challenges, and violations in the scope of the world. This newsletter is unique. This is a weekly newsletter in which we attempt to monitor and convey educational news from around the world in a concise manner. This monitor will be published biweekly with the effort of our young and enthusiastic team.

You can contribute to our work if you like. If you witness any violations in the scope of education, you can write the comment part of this post. Broken Chalk will try to address the issue in its next monitor edition.

April-1st-till-April-15th-2025

To download this edition as a PDF, click here

Broken Chalk Platform, in March 2019, was founded by a group of educators abroad who experienced and have been experiencing severe human rights violations in Turkey and had to ask for asylum currently in several countries.

These education volunteers also suffered greatly and started their new lives in their new countries without human rights violations. They gained respect just because they were considered human beings in those countries. However, they left one part of their minds and hearts in their homeland. They assigned themselves a new duty, and the human rights violations they left behind had to be announced to the World. A group of education volunteers who came together for this purpose started their activities under the Broken Chalk platform’s umbrella. However, the Broken Chalk platform was not enough to serve their aims. Therefore, they completed their official establishment as a Human Rights Foundation in October 2020.

Broken Chalk is now much more than a platform, and we have reviewed and enlarged our vision and mission within this framework. Violations of rights would be the first in our agenda in the field of Education all over the World. At the point we reached today, Broken Chalk opened its door to all individuals from all across the globe, from all professions, and to all individuals who say or can say ‘I also want to stand against violations of human rights in Education for our future and whole humanity, where our generations grow up together.’

Education is essential because it can help us eliminate the evils from society, introduce, and increase the good. We want to draw the public’s and stakeholders’ attention to the fact that Education is in danger in several different parts of the World. The attacks are wide-reaching, from the bombing of schools to the murder of students and teachers. Raping and sexual violence, arbitrary arrests, and forced recruitment also occurred, instigated by armed groups. Attacks on Education harm the students and teachers but also affect the communities in the short and long term.

We invite all individuals who want to stop human rights violations in Education to become Volunteers at Broken Chalk.