USF Salutes Sabre for Fighting Trafficking

Code of Conduct for the Protection of Children from Sexual Exploitation in Travel and Tourism Suppliers of tourism services adopting the code commit themselves to implement six criteria to help fight commercial sexual exploitation of children, and raise awareness about the crime.

Sabre, the global travel technology company, recently launched its “Passport to Freedom” initiative to fight child sex trafficking and exploitation. The company also joined the “Code of Conduct for the Protection of Children from Sexual Exploitation in Travel and Tourism.” This is a big deal: Sabre is the first such company to join “The Code.”

Sexual exploitation of children in travel and tourism is a serious problem, with profound negative impact on a child’s physical, emotional, mental, spiritual, moral, and social development. Preventing this crime requires partners in both the public and private sectors. The Code, a joint venture of ECPAT International and the tourism private sector, provides a way for businesses in the travel and tourism industry to combat child sexual exploitation. UNICEF serves as an advisory partner for The Code.

Sam Gilliland, Sabre chairman and CEO, said, “Human trafficking impacts countries around the world, including every major city in the United States. Passport to
Freedom is part of our effort to rally the travel and
tourism industry to not only end these crimes, but to also help those who are affected rebuild their lives.”

As part of Sabre’s commitment to fight the exploitation
of children, “Passport to Freedom” includes a scholarship
and employment program for trafficking survivors,
training on trafficking issues for Sabre’s 10,000 global employees, education for travelers so that they can help identify and report potential trafficking incidents, and partnerships with nonprofit, travel, and government entities supporting the fight against human trafficking.

Our hats are off to Sabre for its corporate responsibility and leadership in the fight against child trafficking and exploitation!