australia6

CHILD WISE Tourism

Child sex tourism and child prostitution is a huge and growing problem across South East
Asia involving hundreds of thousands of children. Australians significantly contribute to this
problem, and it is conservatively estimated that more than two thousand Australians travel
overseas to sexually exploit children each year.
‘Child Wise Tourism’ is a Child Wise project developed to provide training and assistance
to the tourism industry and to tourism educators in destinations where child sex tourism
exists or is emerging.
In order to provide training and assistance, Child Wise has built networks and partnerships
with key stakeholders including government tourism authorities, private sector travel and
tourism business, academic institutions and local NGOs. Recognising that most travel and
tourism professionals never get training on child rights or child protection, ‘Child Wise
Tourism’ set about creating the bridges between the different stakeholders.
At the 1996 Stockholm World Congress, the international tourism industry represented by
organisations such as UFTAA (Universal Federation of Travel Agents Associations), IATA
(International Air Transport Association) and the WTO (World Tourism Organisation)
declared their support for the campaign to end child sex tourism and went on to develop
declarations and guidelines. These were an important start; however, little was
subsequently done by the travel and tourism industry at the local level to train staff and
produce locally relevant guidelines for action.
Tour guides and front office staff are often the most likely to be approached by foreigners
seeking young prostitutes, virgins or children for sex. Considering that many who hold
these positions are young themselves, it is not surprising that as junior staff members, they
are embarrassed or confused - especially if their company does not have a policy to deal
with child abuse. Often the problem goes unreported or undetected because the staff are
told to do everything possible to please the customer and ensure they come back.
Child Wise has developed ‘Child Wise Tourism’ training to provide practical information to
the travel and tourism industry. So far, ‘Child Wise Tourism’ training programs have been
conducted in seven countries across South-East Asia. ‘Child Wise Tourism’ recognises that
information materials alone, either in the form of set lectures or information booklets, are
not sufficient to ensure training is undertaken or developed. The issue of child sex tourism
is so sensitive in some communities that it requires a process of consultation and the
nurturing of support from industry bodies and government authorities.
‘Child Wise Tourism’ training introduces the prevention of child sex tourism as a local as
well as international tourism industry issue. It connects the tourism industry to community
and specifically child welfare organisations to promote corporate-community partnerships in
combating child sex tourism.
Hundreds of tourism officials, professionals and tourist guides have attended the training to
learn more about child sex tourism and how to tackle it from a tourist industry perspective.
In countries where child sex does not exist, the training has focused on how to stop it
becoming a problem.
The training is being funded by AusAID, the Australian Government’s Aid and Development
department.I
Don’t let child abuse travel!
In December 2003 Child Wise launched a new awareness-raising campaign for travellers.
Aimed at educating Australian travellers about how they can help to prevent child sex
tourism, the campaign involves the distribution of posters and postcards as well as TV and
radio messages.
Australians are renowned for their love of travel. Sadly there are some Australians who
travel overseas to sexually exploit children. To protect children overseas, Australia has
enacted The Crimes (Child Sex Tourism) Amendment Act 1994.
It is a crime for Australians to engage in or benefit from sexual activity with children (under
16 years of age) whilst overseas. This law carries penalties of up to 17 years imprisonment,
and up to $561,000 in fines for companies. It is also an offence to encourage, benefit or
profit from any activity that promotes sexual activity with children. The Australian Federal
Police are actively monitoring and prosecuting child sex tourists. Convictions are resulting
in significant gaol sentences.