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[31 August 2006] - On the tenth anniversary of the Stockholm World Congress Against Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children, ECPAT UK – the leading children’s charity with a mandate to combat child sex tourism - launches a groundbreaking report exposing gaps in legislation and policy for protecting vulnerable children from British sex offenders who travel abroad. The report exposes how dozens of British nationals have been arrested or convicted abroad in the last five years for the sexual abuse of children. Some of these offenders have gone to great lengths to set up orphanages or schools with the specific aim of abusing children. Money to support these orphanages was raised in the UK. Christine Beddoe, Director of ECPAT UK is calling for tougher action at home. “There is an urgent need for a National Action Plan and new strategies to detect, disrupt, and prevent sex offenders from travelling abroad and escaping justice. We need better coordination between countries and increased cooperation with governments, police and child support organisations. Hundreds of the world’s poorest children have been sexually abused by British nationals in Asia, Africa, Europe and South America.†Detective Superintendent Alastair Jeffrey, from the Metropolitan Police Child Abuse Investigation Command, said: “Legislation is available to investigate and prosecute offenders who have travelled abroad to commit child abuse, and this should act as a stark warning and deterrent to anyone considering taking part in this type of criminality. The Metropolitan Police are committed to preventing child abuse in all its guises wherever it occurs and will continue to use all available powers to bring those committing these dreadful crimes to justice.†ECPAT UK is calling on the government to address the growing problem of British offenders who are avoiding detection in the UK by living abroad. The report brings attention to the recent death of a British national in Thailand who had been charged for child sexual abuse. At the time of his death he had been living in Thailand for many years following serious allegations about child sexual abuse by London social services. Thai police believe he had sexually abused at least 300 children in Thailand in this time. This publication is available for purchase at http://www.ecpat.org.uk/publications.html Further information Â