Travel industry promotes sexual exploitation of children

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Travel industry promotes sexual exploitation of children

10:58 CAT | 28 Nov 2019

Photo: Twitter / @G_MachelTrust

Researchers link the almost nonexistent regulation of the travel industry with the rising levels of sex tourism and online sex crime.

“Speculation trends by travel and tourism operators provide a way to the practice, often incorporating children ‘sexual services’ into their leisure packages,” says the report Child Sexual Exploitation in Africa: A Silent Emergency, presented on Wednesday in Maputo by the African Child Policy Forum (ACPF).

“The numbers are horrible. Globally, more than half of the world’s children, around one billion, have already experienced some form of sexual exploitation,” said Graça Machel, founder and chairman of the Forum, during the presentation of the document in Mozambique.

“In Kenya, Malawi, Tanzania, eSwatini (former Swaziland) and Zimbabwe the lifetime prevalence of sexual violence ranges from 22% to 38% for girls and 9% to 17% for boys.” It is estimated that “four million women and girls worldwide are bought and sold annually for marriage, prostitution or slavery.”

ALSO READ: Child sexual exploitation is on the rise. When will governments act? – By Graça Machel

Graça Machel, who considered this “the first comprehensive and up-to-date report” on the subject, highlighted the two main conclusions of the study which points to travel and tourism and the internet as the two ways in which this phenomenon has been increasing in African countries.

“As tourism increases, more children than ever are at risk of being sexually exploited by travelers and tourists. Unfortunately, national laws and policies to protect children from sexual exploitation in the context of travel and tourism are weak or non-existent. When they exist, the answers are inadequate,” stressed Graça Machel.

The report also highlights the weak or non-existent legislation governing sexual exploitation in the context of travel and tourism in Africa, “making the continent a new frontier for sexual exploitation of children in this context.”

The sexual exploitation of boys and children belonging to the most fragile groups was pointed out by the Forum president as priorities to be followed by African governments in the defense of children.

“These children, in almost all cases, have no protection from their parents, community or state, being exposed to inter sectoral and multidimensional exploitation. And because of their conditions and environment, they are often unable to protect themselves or ask for help. Therefore, our prevention and response laws, policies and programs must be accessible and include the unique needs and circumstances of the most vulnerable children,” said Graça Machel.

Parceria para mudar normas sociais para proteger a #rapariga e o #rapaz da violência em #Moçambique Obrigada #GracaMachel @FDC_Moz

Uma visita que coincide com a entrada em vigor da lei que criminaliza uniões prematuras.?? tem uma das taxas mais altas no? de uniões prematuras. pic.twitter.com/5fYefEVMfH

— UN SRSG on Violence against Children (@SRSGVAC) November 26, 2019