ChildSafe is also about direct action, using the tools and resources at its disposal to protect children. During 2012 ChildSafe Network members’ actions directly protected almost 8,000 children. Actions resulted from calls to our 24/7 hotlines, interventions by trained members in suspicious situations and learned responses, with all actions always being in the best interests of the child.
The communication of responsible practice to the over 1 billion global travelers annually will provide a huge positive impact on child rights. Behavior change by tourists, driven by ChildSafe messages and reinforced by ChildSafe tools will help break the cycles of poverty that keep children working on the streets, vulnerable to being trafficked, forced into labor, experiencing physical and emotional abuse, being exploited by adults for financial gain or many other abuses. There are real alternatives available. ChildSafe encourages tourists to disengage in potentially harmful behaviors and consider other options, such as supporting productive, sustainable programs often available locally or in the global development industry that have more beneficial results for these children and their families.
The International Coalition of Tourism Partners (ICTP) supports the excellent work of Friends-International and its ChildSafe Network. It encourages its destination members and stakeholders to ensure Quality Tourism by doing their part in terms of protection and education of disadvantaged children – particularly girls. Support from interested parties is welcome.
Join Childsafe and the International Coalition of Tourism Partners
More information on Childsafe: http://www.thinkchildsafe.org/
More information on ICTP: http://www.ictp.travel
WHAT TO TAKE AWAY FROM THIS ARTICLE:
- Behavior change by tourists, driven by ChildSafe messages and reinforced by ChildSafe tools will help break the cycles of poverty that keep children working on the streets, vulnerable to being trafficked, forced into labor, experiencing physical and emotional abuse, being exploited by adults for financial gain or many other abuses.
- Actions resulted from calls to our 24/7 hotlines, interventions by trained members in suspicious situations and learned responses, with all actions always being in the best interests of the child.
- ChildSafe encourages tourists to disengage in potentially harmful behaviors and consider other options, such as supporting productive, sustainable programs often available locally or in the global development industry that have more beneficial results for these children and their families.
