A training course designed to help industry staff protect children from sexual exploitation has gone live at everychildeverywhere.com.
Developed by Abta and children’s rights charity ECPAT UK and with the aid of Comic Relief funding, the programme covers all child protection issues relevant to the travel industry both for children living in destinations and children on holiday.
As well as equipping travel industry staff to deal with problems, Every Child, Everywhere aims to help companies develop policies and procedures which will best protect children in resort or when they are travelling.
The course consists of three modules on following child protection policies and procedures, implementation and development of child protection policies. Module one is suitable for all staff while levels two and three are relevant to staff in supervisory and management roles.
Director of ECPAT UK Christine Beddoe said: “ECPAT UK has a long history of working with the travel industry on child protection issues and we are happy to be working with Abta to produce this essential training tool.
“Children everywhere need to be kept safe from harm and this tool will give travel professionals an understanding of child protection issues and of the importance of robust child protection policies and procedures.”
Abta professional development manager Vicki Wolf said: “This is free of charge and Abta encourages all of its members and anyone involved in the travel industry to take the training so that staff are well informed and companies have policies and procedures in place to deal with this very sensitive issue.”