Submitted by crinadmin on
Summary: Child Wise has been granted A$590,000 in
Australian Government aid funding to conduct
Tourism Training Programmes in 35 popular
Asian tourist destinations over the next two
years, educating local people about sex
tourism.
The Australian Government and Child Wise, one of Australia’s leading child
protection agencies, are stepping up their support in the fight against child
sex tourism in Asia.
Child Wise will conduct a Tourism Training Program in 35 popular Asian
tourist destinations over the next two years educating local people about
sex tourism.
The $590,000 program will be funded by AusAID, the Australian
Government’s overseas aid agency.
Australia’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Alexander Downer said the
Australian Government took the issue of child sex tourism very seriously.
“This new program will strengthen the capacity of ASEAN countries more
effectively to respond to the problem at regional and local levels, and I
remind all Australians that under the Crimes (Child Sex Tourism)
Amendment Act, it is a crime for Australians to engage in or benefit from
sexual activity with children whilst overseas,” Mr Downer said.
While child sex tourism is prevalent in many tourist destinations in Asia,
there is particular concern that sex tourists may be attracted to
communities destabilised by the tsunami.
Through the Child Wise Tourism Training Program, local police, hotel staff,
travel agents and staff in photo shops in destinations considered magnets
for sex tourists, will be trained to identify and report situations where
children are at risk.
“With the support of so many key players, it will be harder for tourists to
exploit children and get away with it,” said the National Director of Child
Wise, Bernadette McMenamin.
“Thanks to the commitment of the Australian and Asian governments, we
have an opportunity to make tourist areas, including in tsunami affected
countries, safer for children,” Ms McMenamin said.