Project Childhood is an AusAID program implemented by World Vision that aims to prevent child exploitation in tourism. It provides information on building "child safe tourism" by protecting children, who are vulnerable to exploitation. The documents discuss the risks children face in tourism, including sexual exploitation, and provides steps individuals and businesses can take to promote child protection, such as developing child protection policies and training staff.

1. Project Childhood (Prevention Pillar) is an AusAID program implemented by World Vision
‘CHILD SAFE
TOURISM’
SOLUTIONS
to prevent child exploitation in tourism

2. Project Childhood (Prevention Pillar) is an AusAID program implemented by World Vision
CARD ONE - BACK
Protecting children is everyone’s business
We all benefit from responsible tourism that protects our natural,
cultural and human assets, especially our children.
But, as tourism grows around the world, children are particularly
vulnerable to exploitation.
Children need special protection. This is not the responsibility of a
single organisation. We are all responsible for protecting children.
You can help build “child safe tourism”.
Everyone benefits when children are protected from
abuse.

3. Project Childhood (Prevention Pillar) is an AusAID program implemented by World Vision
CARD TWO - FRONT
What is child abuse and exploitation?
Millions of children around the world suffer abuse and exploitation
every day. Child abuse and exploitation occurs in every country of
the world.
TYPES OF CHILD ABUSE AND EXPLOITATION
There are four main forms of child abuse and exploitation:
IMPACT OF CHILD ABUSE AND EXPLOITATION
Exploitation and abuse have serious effects on children and result
in long-term physical and psychological problems.
The consequences of exploitation and abuse extend beyond the
immediate victims and affect families, communities and the
tourism sector.
Neglect
Sexual
Abuse
Emotional
Abuse
Physical
Abuse
What is
child
abuse?

4. Project Childhood (Prevention Pillar) is an AusAID program implemented by World Vision
CARD TWO – BACK

5. Project Childhood (Prevention Pillar) is an AusAID program implemented by World Vision
CARD THREE - FRONT
What are the risks to children in tourism?
Girls and boys are vulnerable to multiple forms of
exploitation in tourism destinations, including:
 Begging
 Working as street vendors or performers
 Working in the tourism industry in unfair, unsafe
or exploitative conditions
 Sexual exploitation
The travel and tourism industry also facilitates access to
vulnerable children, including through supporting:
 “orphanage tourism” which can cause harm to
children’s development and well-being and put
children at risk of abuse
 “voluntourism” in children’s organisations
without performing adequate checks on
volunteers
 “home-stays” without ensuring appropriate
boundaries between visitors and children
Children’s vulnerability to exploitation and the various
forms of exploitation are interlinked.

6. Project Childhood (Prevention Pillar) is an AusAID program implemented by World Vision
CARD THREE - BACK
Are you a child safe tourism champion?
CHILD SAFE TOURISM CHAMPIONS KNOW:
√ ALL CHILDREN HAVE THE RIGHT TO PROTECTION
All children around the world have the right to protection
from all forms of abuse. As adults, it is our responsibility to
protect children from harm.
√ CHILD EXPLOITATION IS AGAINST THE LAW
There are strict laws to protect children from exploitation
around the world and in our country. Heavy penalties apply
to travelling child sex offenders and the individuals and
businesses who support their crimes.
√CHILD PROTECTION BENEFITS THE TOURISM SECTOR
Child safe tourism is good for business. It attracts responsible
tourists, improves the quality of tourism and protects our
destination reputation. Positive tourism supports our
employment.
√WE CAN ALL PROTECT CHILDREN FROM EXPLOITATION
Protecting children is not difficult. There are easy steps that
we can all take to protect children. Child safe tourism
champions recognise risks, take action and report child
exploitation.

7. Project Childhood (Prevention Pillar) is an AusAID program implemented by World Vision
CARD FOUR - FRONT
What can I do to make the tourism
environment safe for children?
1. RESPECT CHILDREN
Ensure my own behaviour towards girls and boys is appropriate.
2. RAISE AWARENESS
Tell my family, colleagues, customers and community about risks to
children and how they can ensure children are safe in tourism.
3. BE VIGILANT
Be aware of what is happening in my environment. Look for
situations where girls and boys may be at risk of exploitation..
4. TAKE ACTION IF A CHILD IS AT RISK
Speak up. Follow my company child protection policy. Write down
what I saw. And report (turn over for contact numbers).
.

8. Project Childhood (Prevention Pillar) is an AusAID program implemented by World Vision
CARD FOUR - BACK
How do I make a report?
Don’t ignore a situation where children may be at risk of
exploitation. By making a report, you may help to
prevent abuse.
You can:
Inform your manager of the situation.
Call the national child protection hotline.
1800 1567
Contact the local authorities.
Contact a reputable child protection agency.
CARD FIVE – FRONT

9. Project Childhood (Prevention Pillar) is an AusAID program implemented by World Vision
How child safe is my tourism business?
Take the test . . .
Please tick √ the correct answer Yes No
Staff in my business are aware about the issue of
child exploitation in tourism
Staff in my business know how to identify whether
children may be at risk of exploitation
Staff in my business know how respond and report
possible cases of child exploitation, especially sexual
abuse
My business supports local vulnerable families,
schools and /or social programs in helping children.
Staff in my business have been trained about the
issue of child exploitation in tourism
My business has a child protection policy which we
actively implement to prevent child exploitation
My business informs customers/partner companies
about our commitment to protect children
My business raises general issues and concerns of
child exploitation at community and tourism forums
Results:
If you ticked ‘Yes’ for all of the above questions, your business is
taking excellent steps to protect children. Keep up the good work!
If you ticked ‘No’ for any questions, refer to the back of this card for
ways in which you can positively build a protective environment for
children.

10. Project Childhood (Prevention Pillar) is an AusAID program implemented by World Vision
CARD FIVE – BACK
Five ways to make my business child safe
1. Have a clear company stance on protecting children. One way
to do this is to introduce a child protection policy. A written
policy makes it clear that your company will not tolerate abuse.
It includes clear processes to prevent and respond to abuse.
2. Make your child safe stance known. Staff, investors and
customers prefer responsible businesses, so make your child
protection policy known. Educate and empower your staff to
take practical action to protect children. Include ‘child safe’
information in your marketing and communications.
3. Bring other companies on board. Protecting children is
everyone’s business, so spread the word to other companies.
Consider clauses in contracts with suppliers that repudiate child
exploitation. Collaborate to build an environment where all
children feel safe and secure.
4. Be creative. Think of other ways your company can contribute
to a child safe environment. Consider having a donation box for
a reputable child protection organisation. Offer employment
opportunities for young people at risk and their families.
Alternatively you could offer products and services by families
to your customers.
5. Take action when you see a child at risk. All children have
rights and particularly the right to be safe from abuse and
exploitation. Immediately report child protection concerns to
police or social services (see card 4).

11. Project Childhood (Prevention Pillar) is an AusAID program implemented by World Vision
CARD SIX - FRONT
Writing a Child Protection Policy
A written policy makes it clear that your company will not tolerate
child abuse and exploitation. It includes clear processes to prevent
and respond to abuse. It should be simple, practical and achievable.
Most importantly, your policy should not just be words on paper –
but a set of guidelines which are actively followed by all managers
and staff.
For example:
Golden Beach Guest House
Child Protection Policy
The Golden Beach Guest House believes all children
should be safe from harm. We will not tolerate abuse.
Instead, we will protect children through all of our business
practices.
• We will provide training for all staff so they are
empowered to act if they see a situation where
children face abuse or exploitation.
• We expect and encourage all staff to report any child
protection concerns to management.
• The management is committed to follow-up all reports
and refer information about child exploitation to the
relevant authorities.
• We will actively display the child protection campaign in
our business so our customers know our position.
• We will find ways to positively support local children in
our community, including raising general issues about
child vulnerability to local authorities and community
associations.

12. Project Childhood (Prevention Pillar) is an AusAID program implemented by World Vision
CARD SIX - BACK
Customers prefer child safe businesses
Customers prefer responsible businesses that keep children safe
from abuse. So, let your customers, investors and partner
companies know that your business is committed to protecting
children.
There are many ways you can do this:
 Promote the campaign on your website and in your
workplace. Contact us: childsafetourism@wvi.org
 Include child safe messaging in your promotional
brochures, media and advertising.
 Invite your customers to help you in your efforts to protect
children. Provide information which informs them how
they can be a ‘child safe’ traveller.