WHAT IS SEXUAL EXPLOITATION OF CHILDREN IN TRAVEL AND TOURISM?

Sexual Exploitation of Children in Travel and Tourism is the commercial sexual exploitation of children by a person or persons who travel from one place to another, utilise the facilities available in the tourism industry (such as accommodation, transportation, etc), and engage in sexual contact with children below 18 years old. They may travel from developed to less-developed countries and can be domestic travelers or travelers from within the region. They may be also travelers within the country who do not travel for tourism purposes, such as business persons, salesmen, professionals seeking to work in schools or NGOs, lorry drivers, drivers delivering goods, etc.

Sexual Exploitation of Children in Travel and Tourism involves a form of transaction (e.g. money or other forms of gifts or in kind) made to a child or a third party in exchange for sexual contact with the child. The sexual exploitation of children occurs in multiple venues - from brothels in red-light districts to beaches or five-star hotels - in urban, rural or coastal settings.

WHY ARE CHILDREN EXPLOITED IN TRAVEL AND TOURISM?

Being regarded as an anonymous person or a person who is not known in a destination country reducing the individual's usual external inhibitors can induce a sense of being free from responsibility, social virtues and cultural standards of practice of one's own country. Therefore, the individual may be inclined to experiment with what they would not have even thought of doing in their own country or in their usual external environment. While the boom of travel and tourism industries around the world results in economic growth and job opportunities for tourist destination countries, sadly an increase in sexual exploitation of children can also come with it. Many factors contribute to the occurrence and continuation of such phenomena. Often times, it is said that it is due to poverty and economic inequality between countries. Other factors can also include misguided beliefs which child sex abusers commonly apply to justify their actions, for example:

» Making an excuse that nowadays children physically grow quicker than their ages and that children consented to sex;
» Believing that sexual contact with children is common in some countries;
» Making an excuse that buying sex from children is a way to help them and their families escape from poverty;
» Believing that sex with children is a safe way to be free from HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases.

Sexual exploitation of children is a serious crime. It has a long term negative impact on the child victim in many aspects, e.g. psychological health of the child, child development, etc. It also negatively affects the society as a whole by violating children's human rights to protection and development.

THE IMPACTS ON CHILD VICTIMS

Regardless of the backgrounds of children experiencing sexual exploitation in travel and tourism, such experiences leave them with mental and physical damage. They may become depressed and have low self-worth, which may lead some of them to commit suicide. Furthermore, as children physically are not ready for such sexual contact, they are particularly vulnerable to being infected by sexually transmitted diseases and HIV/ AIDS. They are often negatively labeled by their communities. They can also find it hard to continue their education in formal and non-formal systems. Sexual exploitation of children is a serious crime in almost all countries, including Thailand. Thai law stipulates that a child is a person who is below 18 years of age.

Those who sexually exploit children will be legally punished, regardless of their nationalities.

WHO ARE THE VICTIMS?

Some child victims of sexual exploitation in travel and tourism are from dysfunctional families or families facing economic hardship. Some are from ethnic minority groups, migrant communities or marginalised communities. They can be boys and girls. Some may already suffer from domestic violence and negligence. Some may already have entered the world of work, especially in some entertainment sectors where their earnings are irregular making them particularly vulnerable to becoming a victim of sexual exploitation in travel and
tourism.

YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Thailand is a country possessing wonderful culture and beautiful nature with rich ethnic culture in the scenic hillsides and the beaches that are renowned for natural beauty. Its hospitality, fun and lively atmosphere offer impressive and wonderful experiences to many tourists. What You can Do:

FOR TRAVELERS AND TOURISTS

No matter whether you are a Thai or Foreign traveler or tourist, you can contribute to eliminating the sexual exploitation of children in travel and tourism by
» Only use services from hotels, tour companies and travel agencies that have a code of practice to protect children from sexual exploitation in travel and tourism in place
» Learn about related local child protection laws and culture before traveling
» Encourage the private sector in travel and tourism where you regularly use their services to develop or adopt a child protection policy if they do not have one
» Report to a relevant representative of your travel agency, hotel manager, police, non-governmental organization or Prachabodi Centre – a government hotline 1300 if you see or suspect a child of being sexually exploited.

FOR TOURISM BUSINESSES

» Develop a corporate social responsibility programme on child protection
» Sign the Child Protection Code to Protect Children from Sexual Exploitation in Tourism and Travel (www.thecode.org)
» Educate tourists on the problems related to sexual exploitation of children in travel and tourism
» Train staff to raise their awareness on the matter so that they can help prevent sexual exploitation of children in travel and tourism and report when seeing or suspecting such a case
» Join in activities to prevent children from sexual exploitation in travel and tourism

6 STEPS TO PROTECT CHILDREN

The Code is an industry-driven responsible tourism initiative which provides awareness, tools and support to tourism companies in order to prevent the sexual exploitation of children.
Member companies implement the six criteria of The Code into their everyday operations to turn child protection principles into concrete actions that will help protect children:

1 - TO ESTABLISH A POLICY AND PROCEDURES
against sexual exploitation of children.
2 - TRAIN EMPLOYEES
in children's rights, the prevention of sexual exploitation and how to report suspected cases.
3 - INCLUDE A CLAUSE IN CONTRACTS
throughout the value chain stating a common repudiation and zero tolerance policy of sexual exploitation of children.
4 - PROVIDE INFORMATION TO TRAVELERS
on children's rights, the prevention of sexual exploitation of children and how to report suspected cases.
5 - SUPPORT, COLLABORATE & ENGAGE STAKEHOLDERS
in the prevention of sexual exploitation of children.
6 - REPORT ANNUALLY
on your implementation of The Code.

KEEPING CHILDREN SAFE

We dream of a world where children are safe and free. Where no child is abused by tourists.
Sadly, today many children are victims of sexual exploitation through tourism. The United Nations estimates that 150 million girls and 73 million boys under 18 years of age experience sexual exploitation or other forms of sexual violence. These crimes happen in every country and across all social groups.
Tourism is not the cause of these crimes, yet many offenders travel to commit abuse. This means tourism professionals like you have the unique opportunity to help stop the sexual exploitation of children in travel and tourism. If one of your staff suspects abuse and reports it, offenders can be prosecuted and more children will be safe.