ECPAT (Ending Child Prostitution and Trafficking) is a network of organizations and individuals working together to eliminate the commercial sexual exploitation of children around the world. Our mission is to ensure that children everywhere enjoy their fundamental rights, free from all forms of commercial sexual exploitation.
HOW WE GOT OUR START
ECPAT was created in 1991 by a group of NGO workers and other concerned individuals in Asia as the campaign to End Child Prostitution in Asian Tourism. By 1996, the sexual exploitation of children had exploded into an international crisis, so ECPAT widened its scope of work beyond sex tourism to encompass child pornography and the trafficking/prostituting of children for sexual purposes within all countries. ECPAT International has 80 groups in over 70 countries, including the U.S., where we are a 501(c)(3) non=profit organization.
EXPLOITATION IN THE UNITED STATES
The sexual exploitation of children is a serious problem in the United States with nearly 300,000 children at risk nationwide. Since 1991, ECPAT-USA has led the charge to protect two types of children:
In recent years, our focus has expanded to include the prevention and protection of American children exploited within the United States, meaning American children being exploited right here, in our own country.
OUR STAFF
Carol Smolenski, Executive Director, csmolenski@ecpatusa.org
Max Mayer, Associate Director, mmayer@ecpatusa.org
Amaya Renobales, Protect Children in Tourism Project Director, arenobales@ecpatusa.org
Michelle Guelbart, Private Sector Project Coordinator, michelle@ecpatusa.org
Marina Colby, Senior Policy and Legislative Advisor, mcolby@ecpatusa.org
OUR BOARD OF ADVISORS
Victoria Gutowski, Travel and Tourism Advisor
Ambassador Mark Lagon, Child Trafficking Advisor
Jonathan Todres, Child Rights Advisor
Brian Willis, Health Advisor
Edward Muchmore, Business and Entertainment Industry Advisor
OUR BOARD
Ana Morse, President
Howard Davidson
Brenda Hepler
Joan Levy
Jackie Shapiro
Perry Wooten