ECPAT’s study on the sexual exploitation of children in travel and tourism (SECTT) found an increasing risk of child sexual exploitation all over the globe.

Children are at risk from traveling child sex offenders in most elements of tourism: In places like hotels, airports, tourist attractions, restaurants, bars, massage parlours and even on the streets. Offenders take advantage of poverty, social exclusion and vulnerability of the children.

The report also identified new dynamics and highlights that the lines between destination, transit and source countries are blurred and the profile of offenders is diverse. Traveling child sex offenders can be domestic or regional travellers, as well as tourists, business travellers, volunteers or expats. The crime can be committed by anyone and against any child, although some children are more vulnerable than others.

Bangkok's Khaosan Road with its bars, clubs, restaurants, and hostels is mostly frequented by Western tourists. The street is also frequented by children sometimes as young as five years old selling roses to tourists. Contrary to what most tourists assume, the children aren't from Thailand and the money they make doesn't go to their families. Most of the rose-sellers are from Myanmar and have been trafficked to Thailand. The money they make goes to their traffickers. According to children’s accounts, they get beaten when they don’t sell enough. The children are trapped in a large mafia network and system of traffickers.