IGLTA and ACTE Join ECPAT’s Fight Against The Sexual Exploitation of Children by Signing The Code

By Garth Reckers, ATTA's Web Developer

At the 2012 Adventure Travel World Summit,  the Adventure Travel Trade Association became the first U.S. association to sign The Code. Now, the ATTA is thrilled to welcome two American travel organizations, The International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association and the Association of Corporate Travel Executives, to the fight against child sex tourism and trafficking.

The Tourism Child-Protection Code of Conduct, ECPAT’s initiative to prevent and bring awareness to the sexual exploitation of children, has over 1,200 signatories internationally. With the United Nations estimation that 1.2 million children are trafficked each year, gaining the support of two companies with a combined 55 years experience is a major step forward in ending this global epidemic.

By signing the Code, IGLTA and ACTE agree to:

1. Establish a policy and procedures against sexual exploitation of children.
2. Train employees in children’s rights, the prevention of sexual exploitation and how to report suspected cases.
3. Include a clause in contracts throughout the value chain stating a common repudiation and zero tolerance policy of sexual exploitation of children.
4. Provide information to travellers on children’s rights, the prevention of sexual exploitation of children and how to report suspected cases.
5. 
   

   Support, collaborate and engage stakeholders in the prevention of sexual exploitation of children.

6. 
   

   Report annually on their implementation of Code related activities.