The federal government, through the Ministry of Tourism, has been expanding efforts to protect children and adolescents from vulnerability situations in the tourism sector. The “Turismo que Protege” movement, launched in June this year, encourages professionals, companies, and entities linked to tourism to adopt ethical and responsible practices. Participation is voluntary and aims to create a support network to prevent violations, especially cases of child and adolescent sexual exploitation.
Combating adultification and exploitation
The launch of the initiative gains momentum amid recent debates on 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 just be children. This is a fight that requires constant vigilance and collective action. We need to be attentive 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-signing form on the Ministry of Tourism website. After this step, the Ministry will contact you to formalize your adherence.
Alignment with the Brazilian Code of Conduct
The initiative is also integrated with the Brazilian Code of Conduct, a Ministry of Tourism (MTUR) program that encourages service providers registered in Cadastur to adopt preventive measures against child sexual exploitation. The official portal also offers distance learning courses, podcasts, and the Multiplier’s Manual, which guides how to identify and respond to suspicious situations.
According to Ana Carla Lopes, executive secretary of the Ministry of Tourism, the movement complements the Code and expands the scope of best protection practices:
“The Movement is a policy that supports the Code. The goal is to improve and strengthen the dissemination of the Brazilian Code of Conduct principles, an essential tool for preventing child and adolescent sexual exploitation in tourism,” she explained.
She also highlighted that the proposal is not limited to formal sector companies: taxi drivers, artisans, artists, civil society organizations, and public agencies can also join the protection network and act as multipliers of best practices.
Everyday prevention
A simple recommendation for tourists and travelers is to check if hotels and event venues have adhered to the Code of Conduct. In addition, in cases of suspected or confirmed child and adolescent sexual exploitation, the recommendation is to report immediately by calling 100.
Source: www.brasil247.com