Swissair hits out at child sex tourism

Switzerland's main airline, Swissair, has joined a campaign aimed at forcing paedophiles to face up to their crimes. On selected flights, the company will begin screening a hard hitting video on the consequences of child sex tourism.

Switzerland’s main airline, Swissair, has joined a campaign aimed at forcing paedophiles to face up to their crimes. On selected flights, the company will begin screening a hard hitting video on the consequences of sex tourism.

The video has been produced by the British group End of Child Prostitution and is being promoted in Switzerland by the federal police and health authorities. It will be shown on flights to specific destinations in Asia and Latin America.

It portrays a frightened child together with a five dollar price tag, to shock paedophiles into reconsidering their actions. It also includes a graphic warning that Swiss citizens who abuse children abroad will be prosecuted on their return to Switzerland.

Swissair is not the only airline to take part in the campaign. Air France will be using the same video on its own flights, while Austrian Airlines will be screening a different piece with a similar uncompromising message.

Swissair says its participation in the campaign is unusual. It points out that the graphic nature of the message being sent out to deter paedophiles could upset other passengers.

However, the airline says its reservations have been overcome in this case because of the importance of the issue. It will therefore begin screening the video during the spring, although it has yet to decide which flights will be targeted.

Swissinfo with agencies