Consultancy: Advocacy on access to justice for children subjected to sexual exploitation and abuse in Georgia

**ORGANISATIONAL CONTEXT**

ECPAT International is a global network of organisations working together for the elimination of the sexual exploitation of children in all its manifestations i.e., exploitation of children in prostitution, online child sexual exploitation, sale and trafficking of children for sexual purposes, sexual exploitation of children in travel and tourism and some forms of child, early and forced marriage. The ECPAT Network currently consists of 143 members working at national and local levels in 115 countries.

The ECPAT International Secretariat coordinates the global work of the organisation and is based in Bangkok, Thailand. The Secretariat designs and implements global and regional level programmes, and undertakes programming, advocacy and research and facilitates a range of network initiatives.

**THE PROJECT**

In 2024-2025, ECPAT International conducted research on children's access to justice and legal remedies in cases of sexual exploitation in Georgia. The resulting publication, Access to Justice and Legal Remedies for Children Subjected to Sexual Exploitation in Georgia, assessed the extent to which children subjected to sexual exploitation can effectively access reporting mechanisms, child-centred justice procedures, recovery and reintegration services, and remedies, including compensation.

The research identified several strengths within the Georgian legal and institutional framework, as well as persistent challenges that may hinder children's ability to seek justice and obtain effective remedies. Based on these findings, an Advocacy Roadmap was agreed upon with stakeholders in the country outlining priority actions for strengthening access to justice and legal remedies for children subjected to sexual exploitation. The roadmap includes recommendations aimed at improving legal and policy frameworks, enhancing child-centred justice processes, strengthening multidisciplinary responses, and ensuring that children can access appropriate support and remedies throughout their recovery.

Building on this work, ECPAT International is now entering a new phase focused on advancing the implementation of the Advocacy Roadmap and promoting uptake of the report's recommendations among relevant stakeholders in Georgia. Through targeted advocacy and stakeholder engagement, the project seeks to contribute to policy and practice changes that strengthen children's access to justice and legal remedies and improve responses to child sexual exploitation.

**OBJECTIVES OF THE CONSULTANCY**

The objective of this consultancy is to support the implementation of advocacy actions identified in the Advocacy Roadmap accompanying the 2025 report on access to justice and legal remedies in Georgia.

Based on an assessment of strategic relevance, feasibility and available resources, ECPAT International has identified a number of priority advocacy targets within the Advocacy Roadmap for implementation during 2026-2027. Applicants are expected to develop a proposed advocacy and stakeholder engagement plan that contributes to the advancement of **two or more** of the selected outcomes and targets outlined below, including proposed activities, target stakeholders, expected results and timelines.

**Objective 1: Strengthen Child-Centric and Accessible Protection and Reporting Mechanisms**

**Outcome 1.1: Improved accessibility and child-centricity of referral and reporting mechanisms**

Applicants may propose advocacy and stakeholder engagement activities contributing to the achievement of the following selected targets:

- **Target 1.1.1:** Child protection institutions of Georgia (e.g., police departments, prosecutor's offices, courts, Legal Aid Service, State Care Agency at the central and municipal levels) adapt their physical spaces and procedures to be child-centric and inclusive for children, including those with disabilities and from minority communities, by the end of 2026.
- **Target 1.1.2:** Development and dissemination of multilingual, child-friendly informational materials detailing procedures and channels for reporting cases of concern, including materials accessible to children, youth, parents and caregivers from minority communities.
- **Target 1.1.3:** Training and capacity building for frontline professionals, including law enforcement officers, social workers, hotline staff and other relevant actors, on child-sensitive communication and referral procedures related to child sexual exploitation.

**Objective 3: Improve Institutional Capacity and Intersectoral Coordination for Child Protection from Sexual Exploitation**

**Outcome 3.1: Increased knowledge and awareness among children and parents about child sexual exploitation and prevention measures**

Applicants may propose advocacy and stakeholder engagement activities contributing to the achievement of the following selected target:

- **Target 3.1.2:*