Unfortunately, the existence of these plans has not necessarily translated into action. Concerning the National Plans against the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children, none of the countries that adopted such plans have obtained the necessary funding for implementation. Instead, application is dependent on the availability of already strained resources of participating government and civil society institutions. Most of the child sexual exploitation policies also lack operational plans.
Guatemala and Nicaragua are the only countries
beginning the process of transforming the policy principles into
concrete projects through their inter institutional, coordinating bodies.
Maintaining coordinating bodies has also proved an
overwhelming challenge. After successfully articulating guidelines, the
mixed forums in El Salvador and Costa Rica have nearly dissolved,
essentially halting implementation of drafted plans. None of these
National Plans has resulted in the creation of a trafficking specific
program or project.
Policies directed toward issues of violence against women
have predominately focused on domestic abuse, and none specifically
address trafficking of women. Nevertheless, several women's
institutions in the region expressed eagerness to incorporate countertrafficking
platforms into existing policies.
The region wide ratification of the ILO Convention No. 182
has enabled UNICEF and the International Programme on the
Eradication of Child Labor of the ILO, among others, to help
governments establish common policies and programs combating child
labor and elaborate measures against child sexual exploitation, as one
of the worst forms of child labor. These programs generally highlight
enforcement capabilities of the respective Ministries of Labor against
child employment in corrupting environments.
In practice, the contributions of these programs against
trafficking have been minimal, largely due to extremely limited
inspection capabilities. Even if inspection occurs, victim attention is
not a priority. For example, the Ministry of Labor in Nicaragua has
implemented a pilot project monitoring nightclubs and other
establishments where children may be sexually exploited. Under the
plan, a preliminary investigation is conducted undercover.
If a suspected minor is found, the inspector formally notifies the owner and
confirms the age of the child. If shown to be a minor, the owner is
informed of the violation and requested to cease the practice. A formal
second inspection is scheduled for a later date. Labor inspectors
provide no services to the child, do not remove her or him from the
exploitative situation, and in practice, do not inform police or other
authorities of the activity.
Lastly, regional integration plans, the formation of regional
coordination and consultation bodies for immigration issues, and the
activities of the IOM national offices have prompted some progress
toward the development of national migration plans. Guatemala is
currently considering a National Plan, which includes provisions for
human rights protection mechanisms for migrants. El Salvador and
Honduras, while not working under a national plan, have created interinstitutional
coordinating bodies that assist in the development and
implementation of immigration related programs.
The most promising of these bodies is the Inter-Institutional
Committee for the Protection of Migrant Women (CIPROM) in the
Dominican Republic. Focused exclusively on issues affecting migrant
women, its activities have centered on combating trafficking in the
country. CIPROM currently supports programs for consular training
on trafficking in persons; a certificate program in trafficking and
gender for government and non governmental representatives;
awareness programs; legislative reform; and other activities.