The training cycle Beyond violence: educating for healthy relationships and prevention, conducted as part of the STOP project, has recently concluded. This initiative was aimed at VET professionals, school staff, and social care workers who work closely with minors.
The STOP project seeks to combat child sexual exploitation in prostitution, focusing on the crucial role of educators and social workers in recognizing and preventing this phenomenon. In both Italy and Europe, this issue remains a deeply rooted taboo, further exacerbated by a significant lack of concrete and up-to-date data, making it difficult to assess the true scale of the problem. The increasing use of social media and digital platforms accessible to minors has further expanded the methods of online grooming, making it even more urgent to equip educational and social professionals with the necessary tools to identify and respond to risks effectively. Raising awareness is the first essential step toward both prevention and appropriate support for minors at risk.
The training sessions were led by psychologist Ennio Iannitto, who guided participants through an in-depth analysis of the mechanisms of grooming and child sexual exploitation, providing practical tools for intervention and support.
Deepening the phenomenon to combat it
A first cycle of training sessions involved 20 university students from psychology and social work programs who were eager to explore the hidden dynamics behind child sexual exploitation. The eight-hour training program aimed to prepare future professionals in child social care, providing an in-depth approach to develop practical skills in the field.
One of the key topics covered was the correct use of terminology, distinguishing between sexual abuse and sexual exploitation in prostitution, with a strong focus on children’s rights protection. Participants also examined the national and European legal framework, gaining a better understanding of mandatory reporting obligations and available protective measures.
For many participants, discovering the severity of the underreporting issue was eye-opening: the lack of official reports prevents accurate analysis of the phenomenon and hinders effective intervention. A 2022 report revealed that only 62 cases of child prostitution were officially recorded in Italy, a number that does not reflect the actual scope of the issue. The training program included interactive sessions designed to help participants develop essential skills, such as conducting interviews with victims, active listening, non-violent communication, and recognizing signs of dissociative trauma. These tools are crucial for professionals working with vulnerable minors.
At the end of the sessions, several reflections emerged, stimulating important questions::
- “Would I really be able to conduct an interview with a victim?”
- “How can I handle the weight of reporting a case that could permanently change a child’s life and their family’s?”
- “How do I manage my own feelings of helplessness and vulnerability?”
These questions reinforced the importance of addressing child sexual exploitation during university education, rather than waiting until professionals enter the workforce.
A second cycle of workshop sessions was designed for experienced professionals and involved 46 participants from the fields of education, social work, and the school sector. STOP resources, such as the Infographic on child prostitution and the Awareness-Raising Kits for Prevention, served as a starting point for exploring the scale of the phenomenon, the mechanisms of exploitation, and the roles of those involved. One of the most discussed topics was online child prostitution, also known as child prostitution 2.0, which is often poorly understood even by professionals. Many participants discovered for the first time the digital platforms and social networks used for grooming, highlighting a significant gap between the adult and youth worlds. In response, the trainer adapted the sessions to delve deeper into online grooming dynamics and the risk factors that lead minors into exploitation networks. The training covered:
- Warning signs in minors who may be involved in exploitation
- The increasing sexualization of social media content, with viral challenges encouraging minors to share explicit images and videos
- The digital divide between adults and young people, making it difficult to monitor minors’ online activities
- The role of families, who are often unaware or lack the tools to recognize potential dangers
The discussion highlighted the urgent need for digital and emotional education at all levels, both for young people and for the adults in their lives, such as parents, teachers, and social workers.
Building a network of prevention and support
The training cycle highlighted the critical importance of a multidisciplinary approach in combating child sexual exploitation in prostitution. The knowledge gap between young people and adults, the lack of digital and sexual education, and the problem of nonreporting represent concrete obstacles to prevention and early intervention
Educational and social professionals play a key role in identifying and supporting victims, but to do so effectively, it is essential to:
- Strengthen continuous training on these issues
- Develop digital and emotional education programs for both minors and adults
- Promote collaboration between schools, social services, and institutions
- Disseminate tools and resources for the early recognition of exploitation indicators.
Prevention efforts must be collective and structured, ensuring that no minor remains invisible.
Interested in the topic and want to explore it further?
Check out our exclusive interviews with trainer Ennio Iannitto and the staff of the Euromadonie Institute, where they share experiences, strategies, and practical tools for professionals working with minors.
Discover more about the STOP project resources and join the change.
About STOP
STOP – Sensitize and Train Organizations to fight against the Prostitution of minors is a project funded by EACEA – Erasmus+\KA220-VET.
Partners
● Pistes Solidaires (Coordinator, France)
● UPV-EHU (Spain)
● CESIE ETS (Italy)
● FOUR ELEMENTS (Greece)
● MEITIS (France)
For more information
Read the project factsheet, visit the website childrensafe.eu and follow us on Instagram to read more about the others project’s results!
Contact Cinzia Broccolo: cinzia.broccolo@cesie.org.
