Tips from ChildSafe for frequent travellers

Children around the world continue to be abused and exposed to environments that are detrimental to their health, development and general security. In tourist hot spots this is ever prominent, and travellers are challenged on how to behave appropriately when faced with vulnerable children begging for money or food, or selling flowers or trinkets. In many cities, this activity has become a lucrative business. What is not realised by travellers is that these children are working in dangerous environments, and are being deprived of schooling, which is keeping them locked into a poverty cycle.

Non-governmental organisations working with these children are deeply concerned about the affect tourist behaviour can have on these vulnerable children. Therefore, guidelines have been developed for travellers of all types, business and leisure, who want to ensure their actions do not bring harm to children now, or damage their opportunities for a more positive future. Across Asia, more than 3,000 hotels, taxi providers and tour agents are members of the ChildSafe Network, a child-protection programme training individuals to identify and effectively respond if witnessing a child at risk of abuse or danger. 

Many child-protection agencies recommend not giving money to or buying directly from children, but instead supporting organisations that are working with these children and their families by providing education, employment training, and health and community care. Support can also be shown by purchasing products that help parents care for their children – you can find such products with social businesses around the world that educate, train and support marginalised children and their families to provide stability now and for their future. 

When travelling, you might be invited to visit slums, orphanages or other centres and schools. Such visits are demeaning, exploitative, and usually against the law and child-protection regulations. These visits also increase the risks children can be exposed to.

There have been many cases of travellers wanting to help children working the streets by taking them to their hotel room for food, water, or bathing. This not only dangerously increases the child’s trust in foreign visitors, but is dangerous for the traveller, as you can end up in trouble with the local authorities.

Human trafficking has become a serious concern, particularly in the Asia region, from people-smuggling for forced labour on fishing boats and domestic help to the number of victims, specifically child victims, forced into the sex industry. Be cautious when visiting places of entertainment, and do not allow yourself to be in a situation where you or someone else might abuse a child.

 

Sebastien Marot is Schwab Foundation social entrepreneur, World Economic Forum, and executive director of Friends International. For more information on responsible travel tips and to understand how you can best support children and families in need, visit www.thinkchildsafe.org.