A Situational Analysis of Child Sex Tourism- 30 December 2003 ...

The study covers tourism areas located around Kerala and Goa. This is spread out in thefollowing two states: Kovalam and Varkala; KeralaSinquerim to Baga; Mobor Beach to Gaijibaga Beach: Goa1.3. Time FrameThe study is conducted in a time frame of three months starting from 1 st of July to 30thSeptember 2003.1.4. DefinitionsIn this study the following definitions are adopted:CHILD, as defined by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child is"every human being below the age of 18 years unless, under the law applicable to thechild, majority is attained earlier".SEX TOURISM is 'tourism which has as its primary purpose the effecting of acommercial relationship.' Ron O' Grady, 1994, "The rape of the innocent", p.53A SEX TOURIST is a man or woman who, passing through or visiting a country,which is different from his/her habitual environment, also engages in sexual relationswith children. (ECPAT Definitions)A PAEDOPHILE refers to any adult who habitually seeks the company of child/children for the gratification of his/her sexual needs.1.5. Introducing EQUATIONSIn 1985, EQUATIONS was founded in response to an urge to understand the impactsof development particularly in the context of liberalised trade regimes, the opening upof the national economy, the beginning of economic reforms and concomitant structuraladjustment programmes.EQUATIONS Vision:We envision tourism that is non-exploitative, where decision-making is democratisedand access to and benefits of tourism are equitably distributed. We endorse justice,equity, people centred and movement centred activism, democratisation and dialogue asour core values.EQUATIONS: Our Response & StrategiesCampaigning and advocacy on tourism and development issues in India, in recent yearsour work has focused on women and tourism, the child and tourism, ecosystems,communities and tourism and globalization. We have made policy interventions at themicro and macro level in these areas. Our interventions have been intensive in thesouthern states of India, and we have made significant interventions in the newlyemerging tribal states and the North Eastern parts of India, rich in natural resources,A Situational Analysis of Child Sex Tourism in India (Kerala and Goa) 8