A new multi-agency advisory taskforce working collaboratively across Vietnam and the wider region to tackle the exploitation of children is at the heart of an initiative launched today by the UK’s Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) Centre.

Supported by the British Embassy the initiative will look to bring together expertise from across charities, industry, governments and policing to build up intelligence share expertise and target UK offenders. The initiative follows on the back of a number of recent joint initiatives between UK and Vietnamese authorities.

Jim Gamble, Chief Executive of the Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) Centre, said:

“We have worked extensively and constructively with our counterparts in Vietnam over the past year sharing expertise and understanding in order to target sex offenders who think that by travelling from the UK they can escape detection and prosecution. Our success is there for all to see.
“However the police cannot be the panacea of all solutions in tackling this crime. That is why today we are asking children’s charities, industry and other organisations with intelligence and expertise in working with young people to come forward and join us.

According to Jim Gamble, the Vietnam CEOP Advisory Group will then grow into being a critical and constructive “friend” ensuring that CEOP work in the region remains focused, informed and relevant to local need and demand.”

The British Government is backing the initiative. Ambassador to Vietnam Mark Kent said:

“There is nothing more horrific than young children of any nationality being trafficked or exploited in any way. That is why we have welcomed the collaboration between Vietnam's expertise and the UK’s national centre – CEOP – and encourage organisations who are active in this area to get involved and join this initiative. Working individually we can make an impact but working collectively our strength is maximised and that can only be good news for children and a stark warning for offenders.”
The initiative is being mirrored by similar activity in initially Cambodia and Thailand and each group will ultimately aim to:

• Deliver a holistic approach targeting offenders and protecting victims
• Share expertise and cultural understanding
• Deliver joint education and awareness campaigns

Any organisation wishing to get involved can find out more at ceop.police.uk/advisorypanel.

Notes for Editors

For gurther information, please contact:

Clive Michel
Head of Communications and Public Affairs
Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre
Telephone: + 44 20 7238 2391
Mobile: + 44 7899 064333
clive.michel@ceop.gov.uk
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