Cambodia, World Vision Join Hands To Combat Child Sex In Tourism

PHNOM PENH, Aug 22 (Bernama) -- Cambodia's Tourism Ministry and World Vision-Cambodia on Wednesday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to forge partnership in combating sexual exploitation of children in tourism.

A joint press release said under the MoU, the ministry and World Vision will work together with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and Interpol to address sexual exploitation of children in tourism in a dual prevention and protection approach.

Together with the Cambodian government and tourism sector, World vision will work to become more aware of vulnerabilities of at-risk children and support responsible tourism practices that prioritise child protection, Xinhua news agency reported.

World Vision will also work in communities with children, parents and community leaders to build resilience against abuse.

The press release added the UNODC, in partnership with Interpol, is working with law enforcement agencies to protect children through strengthening law enforcement responses, identifying and countering child sexual exploitation in tourism.

The MoU was signed between Hor Sarun, undersecretary of state at the Tourism Ministry and World Vision-Cambodia national director Jason Evans.

The four-year project is sponsored by the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) Initiative with a US$7.5 million fund for four countries in Mekong sub-region including Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand and Laos.

Sourced: bernama