Cadence Travel Combats Child Sex Trafficking with ECPAT-USA and The Code

Jul 26

In 2017, Cadence Travel partnered with ECPAT-USA and joined The Tourism Child-Protection Code of Conduct (The Code) and implemented a policy against child sex trafficking. The Code is an industry-driven initiative to provide awareness, tools, and support to the private sector to help combat the sexual exploitation of children.

Cadence’s policy states a zero-tolerance for child sex trafficking, instructs their associates what to do if they suspect instances of trafficking, and also addresses labor trafficking. Cadence began training their staff to recognize and report suspected instances of trafficking in early 2018.

“We have always been compelled to give back to our communities, both locally and globally,” Cadence CEO and Founder Wendy Burk said. “As a leader in the travel industry, we are especially sensitive to the role that travel brands like hotels and airlines unfortunately and unwillingly play in human trafficking. We are leveraging our connections with travelers and travel partners around the world to join the global fight and raise awareness and kicked off our ECPAT partnership by raising over $23,000 for a local safe house for women rescued from trafficking in San Diego, where we are headquartered. It was disheartening to learn that our own city is among the top ten high-intensity areas for sex trafficking in America, so we knew we had to start here.”

Cadence Travel manages business travel, meetings and incentives travel, and more. By working with their partners to include child protection language in RFPs and contracts, travel management companies like Cadence can have a major impact on this issue.

“ECPAT-USA is proud to partner with Cadence Travel to raise awareness and use their influence to combat human trafficking in the travel industry,” said Michelle Guelbart, ECPAT-USA’s Director of Private Sector Engagement. “They’ve hit the ground running and we are excited to continue this partnership in order to increase ECPAT-USA’s reach and protect children globally.”

ECPAT-USA partners with private sector companies in the travel and tourism industries to combat child sexual exploitation. Click here to see a full list of partners who have signed The Code.

Cadence TravelTravel Management Companies

ECPAT USA

ECPAT-USA is the leading policy organization in the United States seeking to end the commercial, sexual exploitation of children through awareness, advocacy, policy, and legislation. ECPAT-USA is a member of ECPAT International, a network of organizations in 93 countries working together to protect every child’s basic human right to grow up free from the threat of sexual exploitation and trafficking.

https://www.ecpatusa.org