Sex with Children and our industry apparently does not care!

‘Tis the season to be jolly …………………… well at least for some. 

When The Mole received the invitation last week, which was featured on Travel Mole, to attend a free seminar on the horrendous world of child sex tourism, The Mole thought that this great industry of ours would show its support and the Sofitel in Sydney would be packed. 

Well, guys The Mole is sorry to have to tell you that it was really embarrassing and The Mole felt really ashamed and had to apologise to the Child Wise organisers that only about a dozen members of the industry turned up.  Brisbane was cancelled and Melbourne had about the same pathetic attendance as Sydney. 

Perhaps The Mole is becoming cynical, but if Child Wise had been giving away Business Class tickets to exotic destinations, providing a four course meal and lots of booze, it might have been packed, but not even the meagre 35 responses they had received even bothered turning up. 

Where were the industry leaders, the movers and shakers of the hotel industry, the travel agencies, the airlines, the wholesalers, the tour operators, etc, etc??  Some niche operators do a great job in supporting Child Wise, including Intrepid Travel, Gecko and Peregrine, but where were the people in positions of power with the high volume, major operators that can make the real difference to child sex tourism?  For certain they were not at the Sofitel at the Child Wise seminar! 

Well done though to Accor who have sponsored the seminar series and are utilising the training programmes with their hotel staff through out Asia.  Also well done to the Myer Foundation for also funding the whole programme – The Mole has to say though that I think that the programme should be funded by the tourism industry. 

So, what is child sex tourism all about?  

Well, so that you have no illusions, The Mole will not be as delicate about it as the excellent presenters at the seminar. 

It is quite simply about a number extremely perverted and The Mole believes very sick Australians (and others from other developed countries) who get their kicks and sexual gratification from travelling to other countries, in our case mainly in Asia, to sexually exploit and have sex with young and often very young children – boys or girls – they are the ultimate evil predators and most frequently they are men. 

In case you are having problems getting the real horror of this activity, close your eyes for a few seconds and visualise how really disgusting this is.  If you have children, nieces, or friends who have children, imagine this happening to your or your friends’ young son or daughter.  Yes, it is disgusting and frightening that these perverts get away with it – well not quite – the Australian Federal Police is right on their trail.  Read on: – 

§         Australia is one of the few countries in the world that has a Federal Police Unit called the Transnational Sexual Exploitation and Trafficking Team and they are located in Sydney, Canberra and Melbourne – it is hard to imagine why we should need such a team, but from what was said in the seminar, it is a good job that we do have one and they are having some considerable success. 

§         Australia is also one of the few countries that prosecutes in Australia, Australian residents and citizens who perpetrate acts such as these while overseas. 

§         Australia is also a signatory to the Global Convention of the Rights of the Child. 

So, how can you help? 

§         You can comment now on this article by clicking on the comment button – so show your support now and let The Mole know what you think of this disgusting aspect of the tourism business. 

§         You can go to the Childwise web site now and learn more about this horrendous activity and more about what you can do to help – http://www.childwise.net/preventing-child-sex-tourism.php  

§         You can ask Child Wise for brochures to give to your clients so that they can also support this programme and identify potential perpetrators.  Child Wise’ contact details are: – T: 61 3 9645 8911 Freecall: 1800 991 099 (within Australia) Fax: 61 3 9645 8922 Email: [email protected] 

§         You can contact Child Wise and secure their advice for your staff involved in booking travel, tour guides, hotel staff, flight attendants, etc in transit or at destinations regarding how to spot potential perpetrators and how to report them – Child Wise also has some excellent training manuals. 

§         If you suspect that someone you are booking or see on your travels is involved in child sex tourism or exploiting children overseas, then you can tip off the Australian Federal Police – IN CONFIDENCE – 1 800 813 784 or www.afp.gov.au  

§         You also need to know that if you encourage or promote any child sex tourism then you can also be prosecuted. 

§         Finally you can make a donation or what about being creative by organising an event or programme to raise funds for Child Wise or even better, giving a small % of all your overseas revenue to Child Wise? 

So guys, let’s show our support to Child Wise in every possible way.  

Travel Mole will be presenting regular features by Child Wise throughout 2006 to keep you informed and maintain your support!

 Report by The Mole