Choice Hotels Responds to Change.org, In Talks to Address Child Prostitution

Today, Choice Hotels took an important and courageous first step towards the protection of children. In response to over 2500 letters from Change.org community members asking the company to sign the ECPAT Code of Conduct to prevent child prostitution, they have agreed to enter into talks with ECPAT about how they can take positive, proactive steps to prevent child prostitution on their properties. Choice Hotels has indicated in communications to Change.org that they are currently considering a number of options regarding the issue of child prostitution, including signing the code. The campaign for Choice Hotels to sign this voluntary code was launched in response to the tragedy of Shaniya Davis, a 5-year-old girl sold into prostitution at a Comfort Inn in North Carolina. You can send a letter to Choice Hotels here encouraging them to continue taking steps to fight child prostitution.

Choice Hotels' statements that they abhor the practice of child prostitution and are looking to implement corporate policy to prevent such abuse are encouraging to those of us who care about the protection of children. Already, over 900 companies around the world have signed the ECPAT Code of Conduct to prevent child prostitution and sexual exploitation. Hopefully, Choice Hotels' talks will be fruitful and they will ultimately decide to use their power and globally-recognized and respected brand to promote the protection of children around the world.

I will keep you updated as the conversation between ECPAT and Choice Hotels moves forward. In the meantime, let us congratulate Choice Hotels on their important first step and wish them luck in their conversations about furthering their efforts to protect children.