European Union Terre des Hommes co-launches European initiative against traveling sex offenders
Project : TDHIF in Europe 13 Jul 2009
Extract: After co-launching an initiative at the European Parliament last year, Terre des Hommes is working together with the European Economic and Social Committee to give international fight against traveling sex offender an impulse. The initiative, written by Ms. Sharma as rapporteur for the Section for Employment, Social Affairs and Citizenship concentrates on strategies to stop traveling sex offenders. It includes measures to work with tourist organizations to help them identify and stop child exploitation as well as strengthening international police cooperation. It propagates greater use of traveling restrictions for convicted offenders.
Terre des Hommes is pleased to see a growing political consensus developing that action against traveling sex offenders is necessary. Lucien StĂÂśpler, spokesperson, explained what makes children vulnerable and the role that European member States – often through police – and the tourist industry can play in enhancing child protection. Furthermore, he stressed that solutions are to be found close to the children, within their communities and through their agencies. “We must all engage the European member States, who must stop their citizens and help the police abroad and here to convict those who victimize children for their own base pleasure.”
See also the EESC opinion on the protection of children who are at risk of abuse from travelling sex offenders here (video)
