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TOGETHER FIGHTING AGAINST CHILD SEX TOURISM

TRAINING MATERIAL OF THE TOURISM CHILD PROECTION CODE OF CONDUCT. TOGETHER FIGHTING AGAINST CHILD SEX TOURISM. SUMMARY. Protect children from sexual exploitation What is sexual tourism involving children? The role of the tourism industry : why we must take action

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TOGETHER FIGHTING AGAINST CHILD SEX TOURISM

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  1. TRAINING MATERIAL OF THE TOURISM CHILD PROECTION CODE OF CONDUCT TOGETHER FIGHTING AGAINST CHILD SEX TOURISM

  2. SUMMARY • Protect children from sexual exploitation • What is sexual tourism involving children? • The role of the tourism industry : why we must take action • The role of the tourism industry : what our commitment must be • Concretely, what can you do ?

  3. Protect Children from Sexual Exploitation TOGETHER FIGHTING AGAINST CHILD SEX TOURISM

  4. Protect Children from Sexual Exploitation • What is a « child » or an « adolescent » ? A child or an adolescent is any person from their date of birth to their coming of age – thus 18 years old, according to the Convention of Rights of the Child.

  5. Protect Children from Sexual Exploitation • What do we mean by « sexual exploitation  » ? • This is when an adult engages in sexual relations with a child in exchange for remuneration or compensation in: • Money • Gifts • Food • Promises for a better future (obtaining a visa, for example) • … • The sexual exploitation of children manifests in several forms: • Prostitution • Pornography • Trafficking • It reduces children to a form of merchandise and sexual objects, and robs them of their fundamental rights as human beings.

  6. Protect Children from Sexual Exploitation • The sexual exploitation of children is a very serious violation of… • The Declaration of Children’s Rights - 1959 « A child must be protected against all forms of negligence, cruelty or exploitation» (principle 9) • The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child - 1989 « States Parties undertake to protect the child from all forms of sexual exploitation and sexual abuse » (art. 34) • The Stockholm Declaration - 1996 « Sexually exploiting children with a commercial objective is a fundamental violation of their rights. It is a form of violence against children and a form of modern slavery. » • The Global Code of Ethics for Tourism - 1999 « The exploitation of human beings in any form, particularly sexual, especially when applied to children, conflicts with the fundamental aims of tourism and is the negation of tourism » (art. 2.3)

  7. Protect Children from Sexual Exploitation • To sexually exploit children is a crime punished by national and extraterritorial laws : • National laws : condemnation in the country where the crime is committed. The local company representative or the NGO partner should enquire about the local context • Extraterritorial laws : condemnation in the abuser’s home country, even if the crime is committed in another country. To this day 32 countries apply extraterritorial laws.

  8. What is sexual tourism involving children ? TOGETHER FIGHTING AGAINST CHILD SEX TOURISM

  9. What is sexual tourism involving children? One speaks of sexual tourism when an adult traveller has sexual relations with a child during his business or leisure trip.

  10. What is sexual tourism involving children? • Sexual tourism has grown increasingly over the past 20 years (democracy of travel, growth over the Internet…). • The number of child victims is estimated between2 and 3 million*. • It is a world-wide curse, amplified by trafficking networks. As a result, beyond Asia, numerous countries in Latin America, Africa and Europe are now concerned. It develops wherever tourism develops • South African statistics are not known *Source: UNICEF

  11. What is sexual tourism involving children? • Why it develops…among victims • Poverty and lack of work • Lack of education • Absence of a protective family environment, or even family violence • Narcotics, drugs • Strong appeal of a consumer society • … A child never chooses to be sexually abused. If this happens, it is because he is forced to, often by a pander or by extremely precarious and difficult living conditions.

  12. What is sexual tourism involving children • Who are the abusers ? • They are also called « sexual aggressors ». • They are not necessarily paedophiles (who are sexually attracted to children), or organised criminals (who plan their travels around their perversion). • Very often, they are travellers who do not have a sexual preference for children, but allow themselves to be tempted and take action, without planning the action in advance. These are called circumstantial abusers. « Total perverts » or « occasional mistakes  », all are reprehensible.

  13. What is sexual tourism involving children? • Who are the abusers ? • They represent all ages, nationalities and religions. • They are usually between 20 and 60 years of age, and come from all social spheres. • They are simple tourists or important businessmen. • Many are married and parents of children themselves. • Although most are men, women also participate in the sexual exploitation of children. • The abusers are not allforeigners to the host country. Sometimes, children are abused by their own compatriots who are vacationing or travelling. There is no « typical abuser profile ».

  14. What is sexual tourism involving children • Why it develops…among abusers • Feeling of power linked to their economic « superiority » • Absence of the moral and social constraints of their daily lives • A desire for « exotic » and new experiences • Feeling of impunity linked to their : • anonymity • geographical distance from their homes • Ignorance of repressive laws • Fear of AIDS, with the - false - idea that having relations with children reduces risks • … Abusers sometimes use cultural or economic arguments to ease their guilt. No argument can justify reducing a child to a form of merchandise or a sexual object.

  15. The role of the tourism industry :why we must take action TOGETHER FIGHTING AGAINST CHILD SEX TOURISM

  16. The role of the tourism industry: why we must take action • Because the consequences for the children are terrible: • Health • HIV/Aids, sexually transmitted diseases • Abortions • Drugs, alcoholism • Violence from abusers … • Psychology • Loss of values and moral bearings • Loss of confidence and self-esteem (shame, guilt…) • Constant fear • Insomnia, depression, even suicide… • Education & social development • Absenteeism • Splitting up of the family unit • Solitude • Prostitution as the only future path… The sexual exploitation of children seriously endangers their physical, psychological, and social development and sometimes even their survival.

  17. The role of the tourism industry: why we must take action • Because the consequences for the growth of a country are very serious • Risks for families and the communities • This can concern your neighbour's cousin, the nephew of your best friend from school, etc., even children with whom you’re very close, in the case of kidnappings or trafficking • It compromises the younger generations and therefore the future of your community. • … • Risks for the tourist industry (economic expansion), • « Sexual destination » conveys a negative image, while most tourists prefer destinations not affected by this problem. • Desertion by tourists travelling as families because they do not want to expose their children to shocking situations • … Faced with the scale of this problem and its consequences, it is essential that the tourism industry becomes involved in this combat.

  18. The role of the tourism industry: why we must take action • Because this is part of responsible tourism: • Responsible tourism is also about respecting, understanding and protecting local communities, while at the same time contributing to their economic growth. • Responsible tourism benefits the tourism industry, country communities and visiting tourists. • The majority of tourists prefer destinations which do not have this problem. • Abusers go to places where they think they’ll be able to act with impunity. To commit to combating sexual tourism involving children is to fully accept one’s role and responsibility as a tourism operator.

  19. The role of the tourism industry: why we must take action • Because we can prevent or interrupt the sexual abuse of a minor, because… • It so happens that aggressors use our installations to commit their misdemeanours: • Hotels, holiday villages, hotel rooms, motels • Bars and discotheques • Excursions, taxis… • Our employees, like all people working in the tourism industry, are therefore the most likely to be confronted by child abusers • Reception area, security, restaurant and room-service, floor staff, technical, drivers… • The daily contact with our clients enables us to play a major role in raising traveller awareness Because we are one of the key actors capable of concretely contributing to reducing this problem, our involvement is essential .

  20. More and more actors committed to the combat NGO, media, governments, tourism industry, police and legal services… A less taboo subject,more strongly denounced and suppressed all over the world More watchful communities and tourists The role of the tourism industry: why we must take action • Because our commitment, by way of inducement, can contribute to the virtual circle of the combat Less children sexually exploited

  21. The role of the tourism industry :what our commitment must be TOGETHER FIGHTING AGAINST CHILD SEX TOURISM ENSEMBLE, NOUS AGISSONS POUR LUTTER CONTRE LE TOURISME SEXUEL IMPLIQUANT DES ENFANTS.

  22. Your company Employees Shareholders Clients Local Communities Environment Suppliers The role of the tourism industry: what our commitment must be • A commitment which is part of a global approach, and rejects all deviations of tourism.

  23. The role of the tourism industry: what our commitment must be • Our action guide : The ECPAT/WTO Code of Conduct • Establish an ethical policy regarding commercial sexual exploitation of children • Train the personnel in the country of company activities • Introduce a clause in contracts with travel agents, tour operators and ground operators stating the common repudiation of commercial sexual exploitation of children, • Provide information to travelers by means of catalogues, brochures, web-sites, posters, etc • Provide information to local « key persons » at the destination, • Report annually

  24. The role of the tourism industry: what our commitment must be • Our privileged partner • Accor Hospitality has been associated with ECPATand its combat since 2001 and relies on its expertise to carry out efficient, well-adapted actions, is it not time you were also? • ECPAT is an association whose work is known throughout the world. It exclusively focuses on treating the sexual exploitation of children. Its network is composed of 77 organizations spanning more than 70 countries. • ECPAT : End Child Prostitution, Child Pornography and Trafficking of Children for Sexual Purposes.

  25. Thailand Dominican Repulic French Guyana Mexico Romania 2005 The role of the tourism industry: what our commitment must be • Major actions in Accor Hospitality • Training more than 5,500 employees since 2002 • Cambodia, French Guyana, Indonesia, Laos, Mexico, Dominican Republic and Thailand • Building client awareness since 2001 • Brazil, Cambodia, France, Indonesia, Laos, Romania, South Africa and Thailand Ticket jacketsCarlson Wagonlit Travel Novotel Bangna Bangkok France 2001 France 2003/2005 Thailand/ Indonesia 2002 Brazil 2004

  26. The role of the tourism industry: what our commitment must be • Accor poster • 2006 : available in 3 versions, for local adaptation

  27. Concretely, What can you do ? TOGETHER FIGHTING AGAINST CHILD SEX TOURISM ENSEMBLE, NOUS AGISSONS POUR LUTTER CONTRE LE TOURISME SEXUEL IMPLIQUANT DES ENFANTS.

  28. Concretely, what can you do? • Speak with people around you • When your company’s commitment is posted in the establishment, do not hesitate to refer to it when speaking with clients. • Discuss this commitment among yourselves, particularly with new employees, and share with them what you have learned from the training. • Explain it as well to your service providers, suppliers and partners and encourage them to get involved.

  29. Concretely, what can you do? ? • Be on the alert • As soon as someone asks you for information about the city’s « red light » district or questions making you think that sexual relations with children is being seeked : • Answer that the law and your company policy forbids you to answer such questions , • Do not hesitate to warn the person of the penal consequences resulting from the sexual exploitation of children • Inform your manager that such client has inquired about suspicious information and keep a close watch on this person afterwards • As soon as you see (or someone tells you about) a client accompanied by someone you believe is under age… • Whether at the reception area, in the lift, near the pool, in the restaurant, in the discotheque, in the parking lot… • Facts and gestures that should alert you : • The relationship between the client and the supposed minor seems very unnatural (no or few spontaneous signs of affection, the two keep a certain distance from one another, etc.) • One and/or the other seems tense or « bizarre » (ex: using drugs) • You have the impression that someone at a distance is watching what the « couple » is doing… • Go up to this « couple » and intervene in order to put an end to all or any suspicious situations

  30. Concretely, what can you do? • Put an end to any suspicious situation • Ask « harmless » questions to evaluate the situation : • To the adult : How old is the child ? How many children do you have ? Where do you come from ?… • To the supposed minor : How are you ? What is your name ? So, school is finished and you’re on vacation ? • What grade are you in ?… • Ask the supposed minor for his/her identity papers to verify their age. Explain that hotel regulations prevent you from accepting any person under age who enters the hotel without the accompaniment of a parent or legal guardian. • If they do not want to present you their identity papers, do not hesitate to explain your company’s commitment and the penal consequences resulting from the sexual exploitation of children. This should make it possible to defuse the situation. • If the client is indeed accompanied by a person under age who is not a member of his family, refuse the minor access to the hotel, restaurant, pool, etc. Explain that you can only let him/her in if he/she is accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

  31. Concretely, what can you do? • Report any problematic situation • If you are suspicious, never remain alone : react. • If you cannot prove the age of the supposed minor, and you continue to doubt,or even if you are refused his identity papers, immediately inform your superior. • Your boss will know what to do, and if necessary, will report it to the competent authorities. Delivery of instructions to follow in case of a « risky » situation, established beforehand with the NGO partner

  32. Concretely, what can you do? • To sum up, 4 reflexes to keep in mind : • Speak with people around you • Be on alert • Do what is possible to put an end to an suspicious situation • Report to your manager any suspicious situation, in particular if problematic (for example when you are refused the identity papers) Delivery of instructions to follow in case of a « risky » situation, established beforehand with the NGO partner

  33. Concretely, what can you do? An example of a hotel generic procedure : • What do you do when a guest, in the company of a young person, arrives at the • hotel entrance or in one of its annexes? • SIX GOLDEN RULES: • 1. Assess the situation by asking innocuous questions and observing the attitudes of the people • 2. Ask for the ID documents of each one* explaining that a minor not in the company of its parents or legal guardian is not allowed to enter the hotel • 3. Notify security personnel if the situation is suspect • 4. Deny access to the minor, unless this person is clearly and officially (papers in order) related to the adult • 5. Explain that this rule is part of Accor’s commitments in the fight against child sex tourism, which is an offence punishable by law • 6. And, above all, remain vigilant concerning the behaviour of the adult until the end of his stay • SUSPECIOUS BEHAVIOUR INDICATORS: • The two people do not talk / are not showing any signs of familiarity and/or of affection: • • the young person stays at a distance from the adult, and may even appear “scared” in his presence • • there is no interaction between them, or the adult completely monopolises any conversation • • they do not speak the same language and/or do not have the same accent • • …

  34. Concretely, what can you do? An example of a generic procedure (continued): • Any demonstrations of familiarity and/or affection do not seem very natural • One or the other (or both of them) show physical sign of nervousness and being ill at ease: • • in terms of voice: raised tone or on the contrary monotone, excessive hesitation and even tuttering… • • in terms of the face: flushed, perspiring, furrowing of eyebrows… • • in terms of their hands: abrupt movements, shaking, tapping… • • in terms of the body: rocking type movements, unusual jerkiness… • • … • One or the other (or both of them) seem very defensive, even aggressive: • • reluctance to answer questions • • do not understand the need to present any ID documents • • look around frequently as if being spied on • • … • A third person is watching the situation closely from some distance • *As is already the case in numerous countries, and provided no new legislation rules against it exist, we strongly recommend that each prostitute, male or female, accompanying our clients be systematically controlled so as to: • - Check their age • - Check their identity to prevent theft • We remind you that we can never prevent our customers from bringing anyone into their room (except for minors)

  35. QUESTIONS & ANSWERS TOGETHER, FIGHTING AGAINST CHILD SEX TOURISM

  36. THANK YOU! This training and application signatory kit is available onwww.fairtourismsa.org.za/thecode thecode@fairtourismsa.org.za TOGETHER, FIGHTING AGAINST CHILD SEX TOURISM

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