Activities
Campaign material
HOTS has produced a variety of campaign materials in different mediums for distribution in Chiang Mai and Northern Thailand. This material continues to be distributed through supporting NGOs, government agencies, schools, groups and individuals. The materials contain a clear message "Stop the child sex trade. Take action….report offenders". It also highlights that sex with someone under 18 years of age is a crime in Thailand and it provides contact details to report offenders.The campaign used a mixture of billboard, transportation and outdoor advertising together with local media advertising to ensure that the campaign material was reproduced in the local press and magazines. Posters, bookmarks, postcards, T-shirts and other merchandise were also produced to raise awareness.
Cycle rickshaws used by tourists and locals around the old town and tourist area were fitted with brightly coloured banners carrying the campaign message. Although this material was produced for a rickshaw parade in early 2007, the banners continued to be displayed for several months during the two high tourist seasons in Chiang Mai. Tuk tuk transportation was also used to ensure a high profile of the issue.
The local cable TV and channel 11 supported the HOTS campaign by regularly screening the HOTS animation entitled 'Journey into the child sex trade'. This animation was created using the street children's artwork and it includes details of how to report offenders. The format is universal in understanding as it uses only ambient sounds and effects.
HOTS produced a short video documentary with the participation of cross-border and street children. This documentary has been aired on local TV stations and 3000 VDCs continue to be distributed and circulated in Chiang Mai.
Public service announcements in Thai, Karen, Akha, Lisu and Lahu languages have been produced by HOTS with the collaboration of ethnic actors and media professionals. After these spots were pre-tested on each of the ethnic groups, they were broadcast via community and university radio stations in Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai province.
Education
Some existing material created by ECPAT formed the basis of the HOTS education sessions on how to help combat child sex tourism and child trafficking. However, HOTS also adapted various materials and collected relevant case studies to create specific training sessions for each particular target group. The focus of the HOTS education sessions was to motivate the community to take action, get involved and report offenders.Educational participatory theatre, puppet shows, story- telling, animations and more conventional training methods were used to raise public awareness. These education sessions and performances on how to help combat the commercial sexual exploitation of children through community action, were offered free to NGOs, universities, schools and interested groups.
Coordination and Networking
HOTS coordinated with various government staff, child protection agencies, non-government organisations, universities, private businesses and civil society to further the aims of the campaign. HOTS has helped develop the capacity of local people and organisations to help recognise, monitor and report abuse. HOTS also worked with the relevant agencies to facilitate better coordination in following up cases.HOTS has a network of groups, organisations and individuals working in related areas in Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai province and this network helps sustain the HOTS campaign to combat the child sex trade.
Report Abuse
Links
In an effort to curb the devious behaviour of offenders from being driven underground, HOTS aims to widen the network of those committed to addressing the problem of the child sex trade.
