In an effort to combat sexual exploitation of children in tourism, the UK chapter of End Child Prostitution, Child Pornography and Trafficking of Children for Sexual Purposes (ECPAT) has teamed up with the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) to produce a free online training tool focusing on child protection in the travel industry.
โThe travel industry is in a unique position to be able to combat
sexual exploitation of children,โ ECPAT UK said.
The free online training tool is called โEvery Child, Everywhere,โ according to ECPAT UK, aims to ensure that travel industry staff, whatever their role, have an understanding of child protection issues and the importance of having robust child protection policies and procedures in place.
โECPAT UK has a long history of working with the travel industry on child protection issues and we are happy to be working with ABTA to produce this essential training tool,โ ECPAT UK Director Christine Beddoe said. โChildren everywhere need to be kept safe from harm and this tool will give travel professionals an understanding of child protection issues and of the importance of robust child protection policies and procedures.โ
According to UK children advocate, the course provides information for staff regarding how to deal with any problems that might arise and how companies, and individuals, can use their policies and procedures to best protect children in destinations and when they are travelling.
The course covers child protection issues relevant to both children living in destinations and children on holiday, the UK group added.
ECPAT UK said: โThe course is suitable for travel industry professionals in all roles and at all levels. The three modules cover following, implementing and developing child protection policies and procedures. Users can complete all three modules for a wider understanding of the issues.โ
It added that the course is also appropriate to students of travel and tourism.
The course is available at www.everychildeverywhere.com
ECPAT UK (End Child Prostitution, Child Pornography and Trafficking of Children for Sexual Purposes) is the United Kingdomโs representative of the ECPAT network, which has groups in over 75 countries, and is a childrenโs rights organization, campaigning to prevent commercial sexual exploitation of children in tourism.