Around the world, one in 3 victims of human trafficking is a child, and most of them are girls. Children are 2 times more likely than adults to endure violence while they are being trafficked, according to information in a Global Report on Trafficking in Persons (GLOTIP) by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
These children are subjected to various forms of trafficking, including forced labor, crime, begging, illegal adoption, sexual abuse, online dissemination of abusive images, and recruitment into armed groups.
The reasons behind child trafficking usually are attributed to poverty, insufficient support for unaccompanied minors in the face of increasing migration and refugee flows, armed conflicts, dysfunctional families, and lack of parental care.
Skal International believes that together, Skalleagues can educate and combat human trafficking in the travel and tourism industry.
One Child is One Too Many
In addition to simply being taken from a hotel lobby, the sidewalk, or a playground, children are trafficked through the staggering number of online platforms that pose additional risks, children often connect to trafficking sites without adequate safeguards.
The fight against child trafficking has not been effective enough.
There is an urgent need to take comprehensive measures to protect vulnerable groups and help child victims. This requires joint efforts at national and international level, with laws being strengthened and improved law enforcement given more resources to fight the good fight.
Join Forces with Skal
Skal is calling on all international clubs and Skalleagues worldwide to participate actively. The association suggests hosting events and sharing initiatives on social media through some impactful ways of getting involved, such as:
• Encourage members to complete the ECPAT online training and certification program on human trafficking. There are two types of training available – Travel Training and Hotel Training.
• Read the Skal International Oath Against Human Trafficking at a Club gathering.
• Post the Skal International Pledge Against Human Trafficking video, provided by the Skal International Advocacy, Global Partnership & Trade Shows Committee, on social media and share it through a daily club communication app, such us WhatsApp.
• Invite a keynote speaker to address the cause at a club.
• Share activities on social media using the hashtag #SkalSaysNo to highlight community support.