Delphine Carter: “Change does not happen in silence.”

Delphine Carter is a sexologist and activist with a strong focus on the rights of children and women. As a teenager, she was confronted with the reality of prostitution – an awakening that has shaped her entire commitment. Today, she works to break the silence around sexual violence and exploitation. For her, the message is clear: we do not protect children by turning a blind eye.

How has your experience with children (e.g. through family, friends, work) influenced your commitment to children’s rights?
Prostitution has been around me since I was a child. As a young teenager, I was asked my first question about how much I ‘cost’ – a brutal reminder that there is a market for exploiting children and young people. That realization has influenced me throughout my life and strengthened my conviction that children’s rights must be safeguarded. Children rarely know how to protect themselves – it is our responsibility as adults to create a society where their safety and well-being is a given.

Why have you chosen to get involved in stopping the sexual exploitation and trafficking of children?
For me, it has always been a given to get involved in stopping the sexual exploitation and trafficking of children, and adults for that matter. I have seen its reality since I was young and have never been able to accept that it is allowed to continue. It is so horrific that many people choose to turn a blind eye – not because they don’t believe it exists, but because it is too awful to face. But by remaining silent, we allow it to continue. That’s why I choose to talk about it out loud, because change does not happen in silence.

How do we get more people involved in the fight against sexual violence against children?
We must dare to learn about it and talk about it. The statistics are brutal, but they are real. Children know this is happening – some are affected themselves – and far too many feel alone in their vulnerability. That’s why we need to create a space where we show that we see them, that we listen, and that we support and help. Silence protects perpetrators, not children. If you also want to create a better world for children, you must dare to see the reality, however uncomfortable it may be. Everyone can contribute – by spreading awareness, supporting organizations or becoming a monthly donor. But the most important thing is to dare to communicate. To show children and young people that they are not alone.