The ChildSafe network has produced important information for people who might be traveling abroad and be confronted by situations where children are in distress or at risk of being abused or harmed. An international network managed by Friends International , it consists of local and international people, businesses and groups that protect children from abuse and prevent them from being placed in abusive situations.
Called 7 Better Ways to Help Protect Children Around the World, the leaflet and online information provides 7 Tips on recognising abusive and harmful situations for children with suggested courses of action and practical advice to be a ChildSafe traveller. Addressing issues such as whether to give money to children begging or selling food on the streets to avoiding situations and actions that may lead to child exploitation, the advice also remind travellers that visit and tours of local orphanages and slums can also lead to children’s exploitation as highlighted in the news article on Cambodia in this edition of the newsletter.
Tip #4: THINK! Children Are Not Tourist Attractions, reminds travelers that 'orphanage tours' often lead to poor living conditions being maintained to get sympathy and lure more money from tourists and that children can be at risk of abuse as visitors are allowed to interact with the children, often with no or minimal supervision by staff. The network also provides information about the "myths and realities about orphanages in Cambodia" and explains why community based care is preferable to residential care.
To find out more about the ChildSafe network, please visit: http://www.friends-international.org/childsafe/childsafe.asp?mm=cs
©Friends International
