Code of Conduct for the Protection of Children from Sexual ...

Module 3: Case studies (varying from country to country)
If available, examples of the challenges in combating sexual exploitaiton of children in
tourism should be presented. [This will vary from country to country]
Module 4: Audio & Video materials
For further information, examples of other types of awareness raising materials should be
presented, such as:
In-flight films and TV spots
Video on ECPAT International work (or similar educational videos that the Secretariat or
local partner may provide) on the issue child sex trade.
5. Internal and external control
For maintaining the Code of Conduct’s credibility, controls may be carried out, both
internally by the tour operator and externally, in the form of progress reports, spot checks
and annual reporting meetings for those companies that have accepted the Code of
Conduct.
Experience shows that for securing the credibility of Codes of Conduct and of the
companies adopting such codes, the implementation has to be followed up and controlled,
both internally by the company and externally by independent evaluators.
In the experience achieved so far, these verifications have been carried out in two ways:
internal controls in the form of progress reports and external controls in the form of spot
checks and annual reporting meetings (comparable to how the United Nation’s Human
Rights Committee works).
Internal control carried out by the tour operator
The tour operator will ensure to that colleagues, contracted hotels and sub-suppliers
know and implement the Code criteria.
Control is carried out continuously with progress reports based on a standard protocol
and by means of spot checks.
Detailed instructions regarding how control of the Code will be carried out will be
included in travel destination manuals.
All spot checks will be documented.
Should sexual abuse of children be discovered but not reported at a contracted hotel,
the contract will be cancelled. In cases of reported sexual abuse of children, the tour
operator will assist the hotel in follow-up measures.
There will be time to appeal before the contract is cancelled.
The tour operator is responsible for the registration of all complaints and correctional
measures in connection with the Code of Conduct.
External verification
External verification can be carried out by experts belonging to the Steering Committee,
ECPAT partners, or other nominated persons. The verification has been previously carried
out through planned and spot-visits, with the approval and the support of the companies
being inspected. The purpose of the verification is not only to verify the implementation, but
also to allow experience-sharing and gathering of information about the challenges tour
operators encounter in the on-site work against sexual exploitation of children at
destinations.
Following the site visits, a verification report is being issued. The verification report may
contain specific recommendations and suggestions for the improvement of the future
activity of the tour operator.
Based on the previous year’s documentation and control, the company draws up long- and
short-term goals with applicable strategies for future constructive measures in combating
the commercial sexual exploitation of children. Goals and strategies will be discussed with
the Code Steering Committee or ECPAT partners.
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