It was considered to conflict with the communist ideal and was consequently only really possible in capitalistic countries. Any trials were held behind hermetically-sealed doors and no one was allowed out. This attitude has been perpetuated and has only been slightly worn down. Neither the legislation nor its application satisfies the requirements of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Inadequacies of knowledge are like a black hole.
Inadequate interest is almost as great.
Trafficking in children for sexual purposes in Eastern Europe takes many guises but it is possible to identify certain patterns. Those worst affected are street children such as Marinela. Irrespective of how one defines street children there are multitudes of them, primarily in the cities of Russia and Romania although they are also found elsewhere, for example in the Baltic capitals. The commercial sexual exploitation of street children occurs largely at the railway stations. The girls get a little food, cigarettes and candy or sometimes some money for their services.