Abstract :ECPAT’s new training resource kit aims to inspire and consolidate partnerships between the private sector, civil-society organisations and other relevant stakeholders with the purpose of combating child-sex tourism (CST). This flexible and adaptable guide includes individual training sessions that can be adjusted by trainers to customise any capacity-building intervention to a variety of audiences (ranging from tourism professionals to other trainers such as NGO staff). available in : Slides(English) | Toolkit(English) | Slides(Spanish) | Toolkit(Spanish)

Abstract : This introductory brochure on The Code of Conduct for the Protection of Children from Sexual Exploitation in Travel and Tourism (The Code) offers a general overview of this industry-driven, multi-stakeholder initiative, which seeks to increase protection of children from sex tourism. available in : English

Abstract : Combating Child Sex Tourism: Questions & Answers provides definitions of commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC) and child sex tourism. It illustrates who the offenders and victims are; different faces of child sex tourism; child sex tourism’s interrelation with other forms of CSEC; and actions being implemented to combat child sex tourism. It also mentions the Code of Conduct for the Protection of Children from Sexual Exploitation in Travel and Tourism and its criteria used to set minimum standards, a timeframe and reporting requirements for signatory companies in travel and tourism industry. Furthermore, this booklet emphasises the significance of enforcing extraterritorial and domestic legislation to prosecute tourists and travellers for sexual crimes against children. available in : Bahasa | English | French | Spanish

Abstract : All over the world, children are subjected to commercial sexual exploitation. A widespread global child sex trade has been established. Demand has increased, resulting in increased supply. The commercial sexual exploitation of children often occurs openly without government reaction or with governments preferring to ”look the other way”. available in : Arabic | English

Abstract : This document provides two case studies: Air France Video, “A child is not a souvenir” and Respect-Austria’s Evaluation of the in-flight video,”The abuse of children is not a Peccadillo”. It is aimed at NGOs who are trying to obtain support and cooperation from an airline company to join an awareness campaign, but they can also provide interesting information to the airline company itself. This will be relevant if you already know that you want to use an in-flight video. available in : English | French | Spanish

Abstract : Lobbying has been done on authorities to adopt better legislation to protect children. Stricter laws have been passed, some countries have adopted and implemented a national plan of action for children, and the level of awareness on the issue has increased in many countries. On the demand side, some offenders have been arrested, some have been convicted where they committed the crime (in the receiving country) and in their home country (under extraterritorial legislation).

It is important to adopt measures against the sexual exploitation of children but it is also important to evaluate the impact of those measures in order to improve the protection. Regarding legislation, it is interesting to consider how many laws have been passed, and compare the level of protection, the applicability etc. Besides, it is essential to know if the laws are correctly enforced, as it is one of the major problems and a fundamental reason for child sex tourism. Offenders flee countries with harsh penalties to take advantage of the gaps in the law enforcement process in others.

The compilation of information on arrests and convictions of sexual offenders against children at national, regional and international level, is a good method of evaluating the efficiency of the measures conducted to stop the demand side (the offenders) of the problem. Publicizing these progress indicators will help deter potential abusers from committing such crimes by making them consider the risks of being caught and punished.

A database should be created to:

• Prevent child sex tourists from traveling to abuse children. When a person has previous criminal convictions in one country for sex crimes against children, the national authorities of other countries might need to know about it.
• Facilitate the exchange of information between various authorities and local police in sending and receiving countries.
• Sensitize the public in receiving countries about sexual abuse of children, not only by locals as well as foreigners, to raise awareness of people towards the protection of their children and to show that laws to protect children exist and are enforced; in sending countries to make the general public realize that their peers are also sex tourists abusing children (it could be your child, it could be an acquaintance!) and that extraterritorial laws exist and are also enforced back in the country of origin.
• Have reliable data on countries which are enforcing their existing laws and promote better enforcement in others.

This guideline should help any organisation to develop a databank as a tool to safeguard children.

available in : English | French | Spanish