The federal government, through the Ministry of Tourism, has been expanding efforts to protect children and adolescents from vulnerable situations in the tourism sector. The “Tourism that Protects” movement, launched in June of this year, encourages professionals, companies, and entities linked to tourism to adopt ethical and responsible practices. Participation is voluntary and seeks to create a support network to prevent violations, especially cases of sexual exploitation of children and adolescents.
Combating adultification and exploitation
The initiative’s launch gains momentum amid recent debates about the “adultification” of children on social media—a phenomenon that, according to experts, accelerates the loss of childhood and increases vulnerability to abuse. For Tourism Minister Celso Sabino (União), protection requires constant vigilance and collective action.
It’s our duty as a society, and especially as parents, to protect children so they can be just children. This is a fight that requires constant vigilance and collective action. We need to be vigilant and report any and all content or situations that put children at risk,” said Sabino.
How to participate in the movement
The Ministry of Tourism invites public and private institutions, tourist destinations, social organizations, and citizens to sign the Movement’s Commitment Letter. To participate, simply fill out a pre-signature form on the Ministry of Tourism website. After this step, the Ministry will contact you to formalize your membership.
Alignment with the Brazilian Code of Conduct
The initiative is also integrated into the Brazilian Code of Conduct, a Ministry of Tourism (MTUR) program that encourages service providers registered with Cadastur to adopt preventive measures against the sexual exploitation of minors. The official portal also offers distance learning courses, podcasts, and the Multiplier’s Manual, which provides guidance on how to identify and respond to suspicious situations.
According to the executive secretary of the Ministry of Tourism, Ana Carla Lopes, the movement complements the Code and expands the scope of good protection practices:
“The Movement is a policy supporting the Code. It aims to enhance and strengthen the dissemination of the principles of the Brazilian Code of Conduct, an essential tool for preventing the sexual exploitation of children and adolescents in tourism,” he explained.
She also highlighted that the proposal is not restricted to companies in the formal sector: taxi drivers, artisans, artists, civil society organizations and public bodies can also join the protection network and act as multipliers of good practices.
Prevention in everyday life
A simple recommendation for tourists and travelers is to check whether hotels and event venues have adhered to the Code of Conduct. Furthermore, in cases of suspected or confirmed sexual exploitation of children and adolescents, the recommendation is to report it immediately by calling 100.
Source: www.brasil247.com