ReleaseWire

Uber Signs Tourism Child-Protection Code of Conduct, Joining Ecpat-USA in Protecting Children from Exploitation and Trafficking

Posted: Thursday, April 21, 2016 at 1:00 AM CDT

Brooklyn, NY -- (SBWire) -- 04/21/2016 --ECPAT-USA is proud to announce a partnership with Uber Technologies Inc. to take a stand against the commercial sexual exploitation of children by signing the Tourism Child-Protection Code of Conduct (The Code) for initial implementation in the United States.

The Code is an internationally accepted industry-driven corporate social responsibility framework that helps companies in the travel and tourism industry. The Code's six guidelines require companies to put in place policies and programs to protect children from sexual exploitation and trafficking.

Prior to joining The Code, Uber expanded their Code of Conduct to prohibit all forms of human trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation of children. Uber will continue to build their commitment to protect children and offer resources to drivers and report annually on their Code implementation.

"As soon as Uber's Safety team learned about the role they could play in protecting children, they knew they had to get involved." said Carol Smolenski, executive director of ECPAT-USA. "Uber demonstrated a genuine commitment to protecting children and preventing their exploitation."

"Uber is committed to safety in the communities we serve and we want to do our part to help put an end to the transportation of trafficked children," said Niki Christoff Head of Federal Affairs for Uber. "By partnering with ECPAT-USA, we are taking steps to promote awareness and educate drivers who sign up on our platform about this important issue."

About Uber and ECPAT-USA
Uber and ECPAT-USA were joined in Washington D.C. by anti-trafficking advocates Congressman Erik Paulsen (R-MN) and Senator Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND), who provided remarks and witnessed the signing of The Code commitment.

For additional information about the Tourism Child-Protection Code of Conduct and how your company can be involved, visit http://www.ecpatusa.org/code.