World Vision's Child Sex Tourism Prevention Project (CSTP) staff in Cambodia team up with others to take an innovative message to the streets — using key chains.

November 8, 2007

By Rithy Huot, Cambodia Communications

"The smiles of your children and others will be sustained if there is no sex tourism."

This upbeat message was inscribed on 3,800 key chains delivered recently in three Phnom Penh communities known to attract pedophiles who prey on vulnerable children.

Supply and Demand Addressed

World Vision's Child Sex Tourism Prevention Project staff in Cambodia — in cooperation with Cambodia's Ministry of Tourism and 10 student volunteers from Royal University of Phnom Penh — distributed the key chains during the Nov. 2-3 campaign. Police hotline numbers also were imprinted on the key fobs.

The campaign's goal: spreading the child sex tourism prevention message in a practical, creative way to workers in constant contact with the general public.

"The strategy to ending child sex tourism must address supply and demand," says Joe Mettimano, World Vision's vice president of advocacy. "The general public and the tourism industry play a critical role in addressing both."

In addition to the key chains, 3,800 calendars and information pamphlets were distributed, targeting three Phnom Penh districts — Reussey Keo, Chamkar Morn, and Daun Penh. Recipients of the materials included travel agents, hotel desk clerks, guesthouse staff, nightclub workers, souvenir shop owners, tourist guides, taxi drivers, and Tuk-Tuk (three-wheeled bike) drivers.

Some 450 calendars, key chains, and leaflets also were distributed to the Cambodian Association of Travel Agents, comprised of 150 member travel agents.

Before handing out the materials, team members explained the importance of preventing child sex tourism. Many recipients voiced appreciation and enthusiasm for the innovative campaign.

'Ideal Creativity'

"I would like to express my sincere thanks to World Vision for such ideal creativity for the sake of preventing children from sexual exploitation," said Oun Phalline, deputy director of the National Museum. "I will spread this information and distribute these materials to other people when they come here."

Song Chourm, 34, a Tuk-Tuk driver, dispensed advice that particularly resonated with campaign team members: "NGOs [nongovernmental organizations] and the government should work cooperatively to help children gain access to education and to understand about their rights, freedom, and especially ways to avoid sexual exploitation."

Deterrence, Intervention, and Recovery

World Vision launched the Child Sex Tourism Prevention Project in 2004 with three goals in mind:

• Deter would-be predators through a targeted media campaign;
• Increase law enforcement assistance through partnerships with local and U.S. law enforcement agencies;
• Prevent children from being drawn into the commercial sex trade through interventions including education, advocacy, and the creation of other means to make a living.

World Vision is devoted to sharing Christ's comfort and compassion with children who suffer from exploitation, abuse, violence, and trauma. Several of our programs in Cambodia aim to respond to this great need, including the Phnom Penh Children's Center and the Neavea Thmey Trauma Recovery Center, whose programs strive to bring healing as well as protection to exploited and vulnerable youth.