ECPAT is a network of organizations and individuals working together to eliminate the commercial sexual exploitation of children.  The acronym stands for “End Child Prostitution, Child Pornography and Trafficking of Children for Sexual Purposes”.  ECPAT has Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations.  ECPAT groups are located in 67 countries.

In 2006, ECPAT launched The Code of Conduct for the Protection of Children from Sexual Exploitation in Travel and Tourism. Suppliers of tourism services adopting the Code commit themselves to implement the following six criteria:

1. To establish an ethical policy regarding commercial sexual exploitation of children
2. To train the personnel in the country of origin and travel destinations
3. To introduce a clause in contracts with suppliers, stating a common repudiation of commercial sexual exploitation of children
4. To provide information to travelers by means of catalogues, brochures, in-flight films, ticket-slips, home pages, etc.
5. To provide information to local "key persons" at the destinations
6. To report annually

What we can do . . .

Check out the ECPAT website:  http://www.ecpatusa.org/

Buy a TassaTag for your luggage: http://www.tassatag.org/           

            Travelers Take Action against Sex Slavery and Trafficking              

 

Buy Soft Hands Kind Heart Hand Cream at The Body Shop.  All proceeds go to support ECPAT.  Check out their website to learn how this company is combating human trafficking: www.thebodyshop-usa.com/

 

Patronize only hotel chains and their franchises that have signed on to the ECPAT Code of Conduct.  Before booking a hotel for a province or national assembly, find out if they have signed on to the ECPAT Code of Conduct.  Some examples of those who have are:

Regent . . . Radisson . . . Country Inns and Suites . . . TGI Fridays . . . Pick Up Stix . . . Carlson Wagonlit Travel . . . Clarion . . . Quality . . . Comfort Inn . . . Econolodge . . . Comfort Suites

 

Accompany our action with Constant Prayer

O God, our words cannot express what our minds can barely comprehend and our hearts feel when we hear of women and girls deceived and transported to unknown places for purposes of sexual exploitation and abuse because of human greed and profit at this time in our world.   Our hearts are saddened and our spirits angry that their dignity and rights are being transgressed through threats, deception, and force.   We cry out against the degrading practice of trafficking and pray for it to end.    Strengthen the fragile-spirited and broken-hearted.   Make real your promises to fill our sisters with a love that is tender and good and send the exploiters away empty handed.   Give us the wisdom and courage to stand in solidarity with them, that together we will find ways to the freedom that is your gift to all of us.   Amen.

Prayer by S. Gen Cassani, SSND

                                                                                                                              ---Jo-Ann Flora SND de Namur