ECPAT UK working with ABTA to update training on child safeguarding in travel and tourism

Tuesday, 3rd April 2018

ECPAT UK is once again working with the UK’s leading travel association, ABTA, to ensure staff in the travel and tourism industry are trained to identify and respond to child protection concerns.

ABTA and ECPAT UK have updated the online training tool ‘Every child, everywhere’, designed to raise awareness of child safeguarding risks among travel industry professionals who come into contact with children on holiday and local children in countries visited by travellers. The tool covers a range of safeguarding risks including child trafficking, exploitation and abuse, and equips staff to identify children at risk, report concerns and act to safeguard children. The training forms part of a comprehensive range of training courses delivered by ECPAT UK to professionals including healthcare providers, police forces, social workers and foster carers.

With the travel and tourism industry continuing to grow, and international child protection measures lagging behind, it is more vital than ever that staff at every level of the company in the UK, in destination countries and in the company’s supply chain operations are trained to identify and respond appropriately to safeguarding concerns. ECPAT UK is at the forefront of efforts to tackle exploitation in travel and tourism, having recently signed as UK Representative of The Code - an international initiative supporting travel and tourism companies to prevent child sexual exploitation.

ECPAT UK’s chief executive Bharti Patel said

“ECPAT has a long history of working with the travel industry on child safeguarding issues and we are happy to be working with ABTA once again to refresh this essential training tool.

“Children everywhere have a right to be kept safe from harm and this updated tool will give travel professionals an understanding of the specific risks children face in travel and tourism, the importance of robust child safeguarding policies, and procedures to identify and protect vulnerable children.”

ENDS

Press contacts

Sinead Geoghegan, Information, Media and Communications Officer, ECPAT UK: 020 7607 2136 [email protected]

Bharti Patel, CEO, ECPAT UK: 07402 113 985 [email protected]

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