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logo-3International Justice Mission (IJM) started a “Travel Brave” campaign for tourists who travel abroad in areas where human trafficking is a likelihood (everywhere?).

“Travel Brave exists to raise awareness across Canada about child sex tourism, empower Canadians to report the crime, increase citizen reports of suspected child sex tourists, and better protect children everywhere.

Download your copy of the Travel Brave kit today. It includes a wallet card with reporting information and other valuable content to report suspicious activity. (Travel Brave is an initiative by International Justice Mission Canada).”

I will be traveling for a little bit, so I am passing this on for your awareness as well:

Travel BRAVE. Don’t look away. Help Stop It.

Warning Signs

If you suspect a child may be a victim of child sex tourism or is being sexually exploited, you may observe some the following warning signs:

Behaviour

Avoids direct eye contact

Dresses in a sexualized manner

Seems fearful, anxious, depressed, submissive, tense, or nervous/paranoid

Appears to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol

Spends time at a place of concern, such as hotels or known brothels

Leaves or enters a hotel, guesthouse or commercial with a foreign national

The child is in possession of multiple cell phones.

Physical Health

• Appears to be malnourished. Signs of physical abuse—bruises, scars, cigarette burns

• Shows signs of being physically restrained or confined.

• Enters or leaves a hotel, or guesthouse, with another child who appears to exhibit warning signs of sexual exploitation

• Is in the company of a child and checks into or out of hotels/motels with little or no luggage.

How to Report

When reporting suspicious behaviour, or an incidence of suspected child sex tourism, it is helpful to have as much information as possible.

  • If possible, report the incident to local police in the place you are visiting.
  • You can report the incident to a Canadian embassy or consulate in the country you are currently visiting. The embassy or consulate can establish contact with appropriate authorities. Find your consulate or embassy at travel.gc.ca/assistance/embassies-consulates
  • Report the incident online at Cybertip.ca. When you report, it is important to convey to law enforcement why you suspect an incidence of child sex tourism. It is also helpful to have the following details available:
  • Time and date of incident (If unknown, try to provide a general time frame)
  • Location: Country, city, area or region within city, street, address or name of location. Try to provide as much specific information about the location as possible. If you are unaware of the location address or region, try to remember identifying landmarks.
  • If it is safe to do so, and only if you feel comfortable, take photos of the surrounding neighbourhood.Behaviour identified
  • Details about the incident. Note, in as much detail, what you observed happening.
  • Details about the child involved. If possible, provide identifying details of the child involved.

Include approximate age, height, weight, gender, clothing, identifying markings such as a birthmark , piercings/jewelry or tattoo.

Include details about the behaviour of the child, that make you suspect it is an incidence of child
sex tourism.

Details about the suspicious person or people involved with the child. Provide as much detail as possible about the individual you suspect was sexually abusing a child and/or is responsible for trafficking the child. Include details such as approximate age, gender, clothing, identifying markings such as a tattoo, piercings or birthmark, other identifying features.

Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.”

MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.