Despite feeling the effects of the 2008 financial crisis, Austria remains one the richest nations in the world. Austrians enjoy a high standard of living and compulsory education for nine years, starting at the age of six. The country ranks 19th on the Human Development Index and has a good child protection system in place. However, more needs to be done when it comes to protecting Austrian children from commercial sexual exploitation.
There are no reliable statistics about the extent of child marriage in Austria, however, research indicates that this is becoming a frequent practice. As a result of an influx of migration, child marriage has become commonplace within certain populations, specifically Roma and Muslim communities. Some male immigrants are reportedly marrying children in their home countries and returning to Austria with them. Unfortunately, girls and boys threatened by forced marriage do not receive the protection and support they need. These children are placed in institutions that are inadequate in meeting their needs and as a result many children choose to return to their families.
Austrian police, in cooperation with other law enforcement agencies, Interpol and Europol, have uncovered several international child pornography networks but still have more work to do. Research suggests that viewing, downloading and possessing child sexual abuse material has also become a major issue in the country. Children in Austria are becoming more and more active online and as the online sexual exploitation of children continues to grow globally, Austria must remain vigilant and increase its efforts to protect its children from online abuse.
To understand more about the commercial sexual exploitation of children in Austria you can read the full report here.
Licha ya kuathiriwa na mgogoro wa kifedha wa mwaka 2008, Austria bado ni mojawapo ya nchi tajiri zaidi duniani. Austria ina kiwango cha juu cha maisha na elimu ya lazima kwa miaka tisa, kuanzia umri wa miaka sita. Nchi hiyo iko katika nafasi ya 19 katika orodha ya maendeleo ya binadamu na ina mfumo mzuri wa ulinzi wa watoto. Hata hivyo, kuna mengi ya kufanywa linapokuja suala la kulinda watoto wa Austria kutokana na unyonyaji wa kingono wa kibiashara. Hata hivyo, hakuna takwimu za kutosha kuhusu kiwango cha ndoa za watoto nchini Austria, lakini utafiti unaonyesha kwamba ndoa hizo zinaendelea kwa ukawaida. Kwa sababu ya uhamiaji, ndoa za watoto zimekuwa za kawaida katika jamii fulani, hasa jamii za Waromani na Waislamu. Baadhi ya wahamiaji wa kiume wanaripotiwa kuwa wanaoa watoto katika nchi zao za nyumbani na kurudi Austria pamoja nao. Kwa bahati mbaya, wasichana na wavulana wanaotishiwa na ndoa ya kulazimishwa hawapati ulinzi na msaada wanaohitaji. Watoto hao huwekwa katika taasisi ambazo hazitoshi kukidhi mahitaji yao na kwa sababu hiyo watoto wengi huchagua kurudi kwa familia zao. Polisi wa Austria, kwa kushirikiana na mashirika mengine ya kutekeleza sheria, Interpol na Europol, wamegundua mitandao kadhaa ya kimataifa ya ponografia ya watoto lakini bado wana kazi zaidi ya kufanya. Utafiti unaonyesha kwamba kutazama, kupakua na kumiliki vifaa vya unyanyasaji wa kingono wa watoto pia imekuwa suala kubwa nchini. Watoto nchini Austria wanakuwa na shughuli nyingi mtandaoni na kwa kuwa unyonyaji wa kingono wa watoto mtandaoni unaendelea kuongezeka ulimwenguni, Austria lazima iendelee kuwa macho na kuongeza juhudi zake za kulinda watoto wake kutoka kwa unyanyasaji mtandaoni. Ili kuelewa zaidi juu ya ununuzi wa kibiashara wa ngono wa watoto nchini Austria unaweza kusoma ripoti kamili hapa.