Despite the criminalisation of sexual abuse of minors, sexual exploitation of children, and child pornography, more and more children are being employed by the sex industry. Children begin working sometimes from the age of 12. Many are from poor families or have lost parental protection. In exchange for their services, the children receive payment of school or medical fees and other gifts. A special force managed by the army has been put in place to combat sex tourism and to prevent children from approaching areas used for prostitution. These activities often take place in urban hotels, although there is a tendency tomovethem to rural areas due to increased regulations by the hotels themselves. However, no checks are performed and the practice of bribing (corruption) to obtain a child is still common. It should be noted that the Gambia is a country of origin for child trafficking and is not party to the 1980 Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction. The Gambia, 2020

Street scene at the busy fishing market in Tanji. Tangi, The Gambia, 2020