In the context of travel and tourism, children are exploited by itinerant attackers who use the infrastructure of travel and tourism to commit their crimes and, increasingly, make use of online technologies.
Child sex tourism is a crime.
A child is a victim of sexual exploitation when he or she participates in sexual activity in exchange for something (such as gain or benefit, or even the mere promise of such benefit) from a third person, the perpetrator, or from the child himself or herself. A child can be forced into a situation of sexual exploitation through physical force or threats. However, he may also be persuaded to engage in such sexual activity as a result of more complex and nuanced human or situational factors, including a power imbalance between the victim and the perpetrator.
Although any child can be sexually exploited, he or she may also be in a situation that makes him or her particularly vulnerable to such exploitation (e.g., poverty, abuse/segregation, unaccompanied/homeless). In addition, a child’s age can increase his or her vulnerability to sexual exploitation: older children are often mistakenly believed to be consenting to abuse or not needing protection.
Volunteer tourism, orphanage tourism and mega-events are all examples where this exploitation can take place, and in recent years the vulnerability of children is increasing. No country is immune from this crime, and it affects international tourists as well as regional and local ones.
Victims can suffer a range of physical and psychological health impacts, also suffering severe emotional trauma and mental illnesses that are difficult to overcome. Any child can be a victim of this violence so their protection must be urgently prioritized. As the tourism industry evolves, it is necessary to ensure the implementation of child protection measures.
Volunteering and orphanage tourism
Despite the best of intentions, volunteering and orphanage tourism have been shown to have a number of harmful consequences, including increasing the risk of sexual exploitation of children.
What is the problem?
- Create an orphan application
- Normalizes access to vulnerable people
- Creates attachment disorders and developmental delays
- Exposes children to greater risk of exploitation and abuse
What can you do?
- Be alert to warning signs such as: a foreign tourist entering the hotel with a local minor.
- Always pay attention to the child’s expression in the company of the adult.
- Be cautious about buying from children: you may be unknowingly supporting their exploitation.
If you suspect sexual abuse of a child, you should report it to the appropriate authorities or online (https://dontlookaway.report/).
If you are a hotel employee, always check the identity of minors entering the hotel.
We at Travel World Escape condemn any form of child exploitation through a clear company policy. In addition, we are signatories to “The Code” thus directly supporting the cause.