Programmes

youth engagement project

We offer a safe and empowering space for taiohi | young people to connect with one another and with trained ECPAT NZ facilitators. Through this, they can learn, share, and activate their voices in meaningful ways.

Our Youth Engagement Project, led by Chillion Sanerivi and Anna Britz, brings together cohorts of young people who have experienced, or are at risk of experiencing, trafficking or sexual exploitation. It provides a chance for them to learn, grow and share; to access support they might need; and to engage in youth-led campaigning and future advocacy around child sexual exploitation.

Our vision is to empower adults and children to move toward a caring, nurturing world where every child can access their rights and express their authentic selves, free from fear, stigma, or exploitation. We believe in a future where freedom from sexual violence is not just an aspiration, but a lived reality for all children.

Key project aims:

  • Building whanaungatanga between taiohi, ECPAT NZ and other support services
  • Providing a safe space to deepen understanding of sexual exploitation
  • Equipping taiohi with the tools to recognise harm early, strengthen their support networks, and practical strategies seek help
  • Empowering taiohi to take action through youth-led initiatives
  • Co-creating an evidence-informed Youth Playbook to shape future programmes and frontline practice.

What sets ECPAT NZ apart is our distinct youth-centric approach, which is designed to foster social innovation while enhancing participants’ overall well-being. We foster leadership and systemic change, with an emphasis on prevention and early intervention.

How it Works

We connect with cohorts of young people that are already part of an organisation or kaupapa such as a holiday programme, support service, sport team, class or kura. We invite the kaimahi of that group to join in on the learning and activities to foster collaboration and kotahitanga. We work with you to tailor the programme to the specific needs, level and aspirations of each group. 

Have a youth cohort in mind? Connect with our Engagement Facilitator!

Research has exposed an alarming gap in recognition and response for victims of trafficking and exploitation.

Alumni Youth Advisory Panel

Taiohi who complete the retreat are invited to join our Youth Advisory Panel — a collective dedicated to social action and advocacy against sexual exploitation. This panel provides a platform to:

  • Continue learning and connecting with the cause
  • Foster meaningful peer connections and a sense of on-going community
  • Engage in conversations about the real-world current issues taiohi face
  • Advocate for youth perspectives in national conversations and service and the design of resources.

The panel is a safe space where youth voices are respected, valued and supported. Facilitated by trauma-informed ECPAT NZ facilitators with strong connections to other service providers, it offers participants both a voice and access to resources as needed.

Together, we can build a future where children thrive, feel safe, and are free to be themselves.  

I really enjoyed having a safe space to talk about this stuff. There aren’t many places to go where you are able to talk and learn about this stuff. I really appreciate being here… it’s good to know that these places exist for us.

Retreat participant

Partner with us

Our Youth Engagement project is bringing together and supporting vulnerable young people in Tāmaki Makaurau.

ECPAT NZ’s long-term goals for this project are to expand our efforts to include gender-focused groups tailored to address the unique needs of each demographic, and to develop a similar model to VOYCE, focusing on amplifying the voices of young people who have experienced or are at risk of sexual exploitation.

This will enable participants to contribute towards our work; improve well-being through positive youth development; and activate youth voice, youth leadership and direct advocacy. Recognising the importance of incorporating the voices of our young people, we will utilise any shared experiences and insights into participants’ recovery and development to inform and enrich our programmes, Community of Practice, and advocacy work.

Taiohi across Aotearoa will benefit from the impact of participants’ insights on what would help them thrive, as these will shape ECPAT NZ’s policies and advocacy strategies as we drive systemic improvements.

We would love your help to continue the project.