Celebrating PACT’s 30-Year Legacy of Protecting Children in Travel and Tourism
As the first organization in the United States to work on the global problem of child sex trafficking, Protect All Children from Trafficking (PACT, originally ECPAT-USA), was initially started to address the sexual exploitation of children overseas.
When we were first founded in 1991, the sexual exploitation of children was not widely recognized yet. There were no laws in place to protect victims, no training, no support services, and no accountability for offenders. Children who were discovered to be involved in commercial sex were treated simultaneously as statutory rape victims and perpetrators of the crime.
There was little education about the vulnerabilities of children and the manipulative tactics of traffickers. Americans who traveled abroad to sexually exploit children could do so with impunity. The private sector had not yet been engaged to be a part of the solution.
The first calls for action came from ECPAT International, who sounded the alarm about the horrific stories of children being sexually exploited overseas. They reached out to peer organizations around the world to join them in a global campaign to help raise awareness about this crime.
What began as a call for awareness quickly evolved into a global movement consisting of a powerful network of advocates working together to strengthen systems that protect children around the world.
Here are some accomplishments that have been achieved to help protect children in travel and tourism:
In 1992, the first U.S. educational materials on the sexual exploitation of children in the travel and tourism industry were created
In 1994, the PROTECT Act was passed, making it possible to prosecute Americans in the U.S. who abuse children in other countries
In 2004, the Tourism Child-Protection Code of Conduct (“The Code”) was launched in the United States, with Carlson joining as the first signatory. This was a major vote of confidence and a milestone leading to several major companies joining later on!
In 2011, Delta, Wyndham, and Hilton became signatories of The Code
In 2016, ECPAT International published a global study mapping data and emerging trends on the sexual exploitation of children in travel and tourism
In 2020, ECPAT International celebrated reaching 100 countries
In 2025, PACT celebrated over 2 million completions of our hotel industry trafficking prevention e-trainings
“There is a common misconception that trafficking only happens overseas, but it can happen anywhere, including here in the United States. Recognizing this, PACT engages with partners in travel, tourism, travel management, and event planning to address this problem on our own soil. We are facilitating discussions about trafficking as it’s happening within the hospitality fields in order to help create a safer environment for everyone”
From raising early awareness to facilitating critical discussions about trafficking and sexual exploitation in travel and tourism, PACT has been a leader on the frontlines to help end the trafficking and sexual exploitation of children. Prevention starts with education, and when people are equipped with the right tools and training, change is possible. With your support, we continue expanding our reach, cultivating strong partnerships, and building systems that help stop trafficking and sexual exploitation before it starts.