The Sexual Exploitation of Children is Everybodys Business

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In South Africa an estimated 30 000 children under the age of 18 are said to be victims of the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC).

With roughly 20 million children in this age bracket, South Africa presents a fertile ground for a booming child sex industry. Even more shocking is that many victims are children between the ages of 10 and 14 years old. Ultimately, every member of the public who chooses to turn a blind eye is just as guilty of failing to protect children as those who actively engage in child abuse and exploitation.

However, Fair Trade in Tourism South Africa (FTTSA) is now challenging citizens to become involved and assume their role as protectors of our children, forming part of their initiative where key players in the Travel and Tourism sector are stepping up and taking a stance against Child Sex Tourism (CST).

Everybody can help to prevent this injustice by asking whether the hotel at your holiday destination has signed The Global Code of Conduct for the Protection of Children from Sexual Exploitation in Travel and Tourism (‘The Code’). Additionally, by being alert and reporting any suspicious behaviour to hotel management and by joining ‘The Code’ on Facebook or Twitter, South Africans can contribute greatly to this initiative.

FTTSA, South Africa’s leading responsible tourism NGO, has spearheaded this initiative by implementing the ‘The Code’ in South Africa.  This is an international initiative and was launched in South Africa during May this year with support from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the International Labour Organisation (ILO), together with a host of local stakeholders such as the national departments of Social Development and Tourism, South African Tourism, the Tourism Business Council of South Africa and Childline South Africa.

In the midst of the 16 Days of Activism Against Women and Child Abuse campaign, businesses in the travel and tourism industry who have signed ‘The Code’, have committed themselves to the implementation of a number of measures that are designed to maximise the impact of the signatory’s commitment in their particular sphere of influence.

Since the launch of The Code in South Africa it has built a support base of over 30 signatories, but according to Jennifer Seif, Executive Director of FTTSA, the success of this initiative not only depends on buy-in from industry, but especially the support of the general public.  “Members of industry formally sign The Code, but ultimately we depend on the eyes and ears of the general public to report and prevent these horrific crimes.”

In the wake of the 2010 FIFA™ World Cup, where South Africa was placed firmly on the map as an attractive tourist destination, unfortunately, this is also accompanied by the scrutiny of international crime syndicates and presenting fertile ground for a booming child sex industry.
Additionally, against the backdrop of inequality, unemployment, lack of education and poverty, South Africa presents fertile ground for a booming child sex industry. With an estimated 1.39 million people being forced into commercial sexual exploitation, 40-50% of them are children, according to the ILO.

Other official statistics provided by UNICEF, state that 68% percent of South African children live in poor households, 20% are orphans (according to the broad definition) and there are nearly 180 000 child-reared households in South Africa. These statistics are shocking and in many cases, children feel that they have no other alternatives.

As the country is heading into the holiday season the public is urged to be on the look-out for suspicious situations pointing towards potential sexual exploitation of a child.  Suspicious situations can be identified by the following:
 

1. ‘Couples’ may not show signs of familiarity or affection
2. One or both of the parties showing physical signs of nervousness or not being at ease
3. One or both of the parties seem very defensive, even aggressive

 Seif concludes that “South Africans need to realise that they have a responsibility, not just for the sake of our children, but also for the children of Africa as a whole. By being aware and getting involved, everyone can help fight this cause.”

For more information on how to become a member, visit www.fairtourismsa.org.za/thecode, which also has a link to the international website www.thecode.org.  The LCR for South Africa, FTTSA, can be contacted on telephone (012) 342 2945; via e-mail on[email protected], or alternatively by fax on (012) 342 2946.

For more information about Fair Trade in Tourism South Africa, please refer to www.fairtourismsa.org.za

 Valere Tjolle
Valere Tjolle is editor of the Sustainable Tourism Report Suite – latest information: www.travelmole.com/stories/1145453.php  latest offer: www.travelmole.com/stories/1145345.php