MORE than one million children are drawn into the multi billion dollar sex trade around the world every year, according to UNICEF. The organisation is to hold a major conference in Sweden next month on the commercial sexual exploitation of children.
Ms Maura Quinn, executive director of the Irish National Committee for UNICEF, described the exploitation as a "flagrant abuse of the rights of many millions of children by unscrupulous adults".
Most of the children involved are aged between 13 and 18, although, according to UNICEF, there is evidence that very young children and babies are also caught up in the trade.
Ms Quinn said the abuse "stunts the survival and quality of life of the children affected. Their health and productivity as adults are undermined as indeed is the health and development of their children in turn. The effects last for generations".