2007年VOA标准英语-Nightclubs Sign Code to Fight Child Prostitutio

By Cathy Majtenyi
Nairobi
09 February 2007

In Kenya, efforts to cut down on child prostitution in tourist areas along the coast have recently been boosted as more establishments are agreeing to sign a code of conduct to protect children from sexual exploitation. Cathy Majtenyi reports for VOA from Nairobi.

Among other things, the code of conduct calls on those working in hotels to recognize when incidents of child prostitution may be taking place and to turn offenders¹ over to the police.

For almost two years, the Kenya Association of Hotel Keepers and Caterers has been urging hoteliers to sign onto the code and receive training on how to deal with child prostitution.

Recently, the campaign expanded to include nightclubs, bars, pubs and restaurants as tourist venues² that are being urged to sign the code of conduct.

The chairman of the coastal³ branch of the Kenya Association of Hotel Keepers and Caterers, Mohammed Hersi, says he believes the inclusion of these drinking places into the campaign, which he calls a "milestone," will go far in stopping the problem before it even begins.

"We now have the restaurants, pubs, and nightclubs arm of the Hotel Keepers Association," he said. "Before these adults find these minors⁵, and then take them to a hotel room, they meet them somewhere, and that's more often than not in the nightclub or a pub. So now we've got those (nightclubs) to join us so that nobody under 18 will be allowed into any nightclubs."

Hersi says that all the major, internationally recognized nightclubs along the Kenyan coast have signed onto the code.

But there is still much to be done. Hersi says that, of the 70 or so major hotels along the coast, only around 28 have signed the code.

Hersi describes what is involved in implementing⁶ the code.

"If you've declined to take somebody's booking or declined to sell a room to someone who is with a minor⁴ who is not related to the person and there's no evidence, you're supposed to tell them, have a seat, and you silently call the security manager of the hotel. In the process, you call the tourist police unit and that person is locked up," he said.

The issue of child prostitution was highlighted in December when the U.N. children's agency and the Kenyan government released a report that found about 15,000 girls between the ages of 12 to 18 are estimated to be involved in sex tourism in the area along the coast.

The study found the majority of those seeking the sexual services of children are Kenyans. Most of the other clients are Italians, Germans, and Swiss.

1 offenders   

n.冒犯者( offender的名词复数 )；犯规者；罪犯；妨害…的人（或事物）

参考例句：

• Long prison sentences can be a very effective deterrent for offenders. 判处长期徒刑可对违法者起到强有力的威慑作用。
• Purposeful work is an important part of the regime for young offenders. 使从事有意义的劳动是管理少年犯的重要方法。

2 venues   

n.聚集地点( venue的名词复数 )；会场；（尤指）体育比赛场所；犯罪地点

参考例句：

• The band will be playing at 20 different venues on their UK tour. 这个乐队在英国巡回演出期间将在20个不同的地点演出。
• Farmers market corner, 800 meters long, 60 meters wide livestock trading venues. 农牧市场东北角，有长800米，宽60米的牲畜交易场地。 来自互联网

3 coastal   

adj.海岸的，沿海的，沿岸的

参考例句：

• The ocean waves are slowly eating away the coastal rocks.大海的波浪慢慢地侵蚀着岸边的岩石。
• This country will fortify the coastal areas.该国将加强沿海地区的防御。

4 minor   

adj.较小(少)的，较次要的；n.辅修学科；vi.辅修

参考例句：

• The young actor was given a minor part in the new play.年轻的男演员在这出新戏里被分派担任一个小角色。
• I gave him a minor share of my wealth.我把小部分财产给了他。

5 minors   

n.未成年人( minor的名词复数 )；副修科目；小公司；[逻辑学]小前提v.[主美国英语]副修，选修，兼修( minor的第三人称单数 )

参考例句：

• The law forbids shops to sell alcohol to minors. 法律禁止商店向未成年者出售含酒精的饮料。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• He had three minors this semester. 这学期他有三门副修科目。 来自《简明英汉词典》

6 implementing   

v.实现( implement的现在分词 )；执行；贯彻；使生效

参考例句：

• -- Implementing a comprehensive drug control strategy. ――实行综合治理的禁毒战略。 来自汉英非文学 - 白皮书
• He was in no hurry about implementing his unshakable principle. 他并不急于实行他那不可动摇的原则。 来自辞典例句