Peru: US Ambassador At-Large to support fight against child exploitation

Photo: US Embassy in Peru

00:01 | Lima, Nov. 10.

Ambassador-at-Large John Cotton Richmond —of the U.S. Department of State's Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons (TIP Office)— arrived in Peru for the implementation launch of the "Child Protection Compact (CPC)," a four-year plan that will strengthen efforts to prevent and sanction child trafficking and provide services to victims, the U.S. Embassy in Peru reported.

The implementation ceremony of the CPC Partnership was held at the headquarters of the International Labour Organization (ILO) with the presence of Ambassador Richmond, Ambassador of the United States to Peru Krishna R. Urs; Peruvian Deputy Ministers Nataly Ponce (Interior for Public Safety), and Cecilia Aldave (Vulnerable Populations).

The project implementers are the ILO and the Yanapanakusun Center, and its partners – the Institute of Legal Defense (IDL), and Human and Social Capital Alternativo (CHS Alternativo).

"Child trafficking has a devastating and lasting impact on child victims, and also threatens a country’s future, public safety, and national security," Ambassador Richmond emphasized.

"For these reasons, combating human trafficking is one of the highest priorities for the United States. An effective response requires a comprehensive approach across the 3Ps of prosecution, protection, and prevention," he added.

It should be noted Peru is the first country in Latin America to sign the CPC Partnership with the United States and is expected to become a model for the region.

Furthermore, the Government of the United States will invest $5 million in support of the Inca nation’s efforts to deal with child trafficking and counteract its harmful and lasting impact on victims and society.

Human trafficking undermines the rule of law and is associated with transnational organized crime. In Peru, it is also linked to illegal mining.

Technical teams from the TIP Office traveled to Cusco region and Iquitos (Loreto region) to further implementation of the CPC Partnership through its partners.

The Government of the United States has invested more than $32 million in programs to support Peru against human trafficking, child labor, violence against women, and to improve the quality of life of vulnerable and marginalized populations.

Editor's note: Information provided by the US Embassy in Peru.

(END) NDP/DTK/MVB

Publicado: 10/11/2018