The ASEAN Commission on the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Women and Children (ACWC), in partnership with Indonesia’s Ministry of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection (MoWECP) and ECPAT Indonesia, successfully convened the ASEAN Conference on the Prevention and Response to the Misuse of Financial Service Providers in Child Sexual Exploitation on 7-8 August 2024 in Bali, Indonesia.
Attended by 150 participants, including representatives from ASEAN member states, international organizations, and financial institutions, the conference aimed to address the increasing misuse of financial services in facilitating sexual exploitation crimes. The conference provided a vital platform for stakeholders to exchange insights and propose strategic recommendations. Participants discussed the critical role of technology in the financial sector and its implications for child safety, emphasizing the need for intersectoral collaboration among financial institutions, law enforcement, and civil society organizations.
Key recommendations emerging from the discussions included strengthening national laws to align with global frameworks, enhancing detection and reporting mechanisms for financial misuse in child exploitation, and empowering children as active participants in their own protection.