Private Sector Engagement

The private sector provides the services and platforms children use every day: from gaming and social media to travel and financial services. How companies design platforms, manage operations, and oversee supply chains directly impacts children’s safety. 

The risks are well documented, from children exploited in tourism destinations to those exposed to harmful gender narratives in gaming spaces. But these risks can be reduced and even prevented when companies take meaningful action. 

Our Approach 

ECPAT works with the private sector to ensure that child protection, child rights, and gender equality are built into how companies function. Together with our global network, we partner with companies to identify, address, mitigate and prevent adverse impacts and risks to children across their operations, value chains, and due diligence processes.

What We Do 

We prioritise industries and sectors where risks to children’s safety and wellbeing are well-documented and where business action can make a big difference: 

• Travel, transport and tourism (including companies whose staff travel for business) 
• Information and Communications Technologies, including mobile network operators, social media platforms, hosting companies, and more 
• The financial sector, which can play a key role in detecting and preventing sexual exploitation through financial transactions. 
• The online gaming industry, where we partner with gaming companies to shift harmful gender narratives and masculinities to advance gender equality and create safer spaces online for children of all identities.  

We also explore engagement with industries such as entertainment and sports, where children may be at risk or where safeguarding measures are limited. 

How We Work with Companies 

We partner with businesses through a range of flexible, tailored approaches, depending on their context and need. This can include: 

• Developing practical tools, guidance, and resources 
• Conducting research 
• Facilitating knowledge exchange 
• Running campaigns and awareness initiatives 

Through these approaches, we help companies take meaningful action to strengthen child protection systems and promote safer environments across the spaces children interact in every day. 

Partner With Us 

The private sector has the responsibility to respect and protect children’s rights, advance gender equality, and prevent harm. If you’re ready to take meaningful action, contact us to explore partnership opportunities and access our tools and guidance.