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OHCHR 
Special Rapporteur on the sale and sexual exploitation of children
Special Rapporteur on the sale, sexual exploitation and sexual abuse of children
About the mandate
The UN Special Rapporteur on the sale and sexual exploitation of children is mandated to analyse the root causes of sale and sexual exploitation of children, identify new patterns of the phenomena, exchange good practices to combat it, promote measures to prevent it, and make recommendations for the rehabilitation of child victims of sale and sexual exploitation.
The mandate of the Special Rapporteur was created in 1990 and is the only mandate of the UN Special procedures system with an exclusive focus on children.
Learn more about the mandate and its purpose
Current mandate holder
Ms. Mama Fatima Singhateh (Gambia) was appointed as the UN Special Rapporteur on sale the and sexual exploitation of children by the UN Human Rights Council in March 2020. She started her mandate on 1 May 2020.
Ms. Singhateh is a trained lawyer with over 20 years of experience, currently working as an international consultant on human rights and legal and institutional reforms. She holds a master’s degree in International Business Law from the University of Hull and has undergone numerous trainings in child rights programming, arbitration and mediation, and legislative drafting.
Calls for Input
Key documents
25 Years of Fighting the Sale and Sexual Exploitation of Children: Addressing new challenges
This handbook, produced by the Special Rapporteur on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography, with support from Plan International, Defence for Children-ECPAT Netherlands, and Terre des Hommes International. It commemorates the 25 years of achievements of this mandate.
Child-friendly booklet on the mandate
This booklet teaches children how to connect with the Special Rapporteur and how to find out what’s being done in their country to protect children.
Child-friendly fact sheet on the mandate
This fact sheet instructs children on key information regarding the Special Rapporteur, including: the function of the mandate, the activities of Special Rapporteur, and the violations addressed by the mandate.
Terminology guidelines for the protection of children from sexual exploitation and sexual abuse
This document provides individuals and agencies working for the prevention and elimination of all forms of sexual exploitation and sexual abuse of children with guidance on the different terms and concepts they may encounter in their work.
Latest thematic reports
Latest country reports
Contact Information
Ms. Mama Fatima Singhateh
Special Rapporteur on the sale and sexual exploitation of children
OHCHR-UNOG
United Nations at Geneva
8-14 Avenue de la Paix
1211 Geneve 10, Switzerland
Fax: (+41 22) 917 90 06
Email: hrc-sr-saleofchildren@un.org
Former mandate holders
Ms. Maud de Boer-Buquicchio (The Netherlands)
2014-2020
Ms. Najat Maalla M’jid (Morocco)
2008-2014
Mr. Juan Miguel Petit (Uruguay)
2001-2008
Ms. Ofelia Calcetas-Santos (Philippines)
1994-2001
Mr. Vitit Muntarbhorn (Thailand)
1991-1994
Activities
Special Rapporteur discussed progress and challenges on the risks of sale, sexual, exploitation and sexual abuse globally and regionally in her meeting with ECOWAS Permanent Observer to UN
9 October 2023
Statement by Mama Fatima Singhateh at the 78nd session of the General Assembly
5 October 2023
Statement by Mama Fatima Singhateh at the 52nd session of the Human Rights Council
8 March 2023