Announcements
Child and Youth Protection and Image Safety | Do Not Share Harmful Content; Know Where to Seek Help
Publication Date: November 1, 2026
Last Updated: November 1, 2026
Peace of mind while traveling comes not only from comfortable accommodation, but also from respect for everyone’s privacy and safety. The sexual exploitation of children and young people, demands that they take intimate images, and threats to distribute such images must all be taken seriously. Whether an incident happens online or in person, a child should not have to face it alone.
1 Recognizing Risks to Children and Young People, Including Image-Related Risks
The sexual exploitation of children and young people is not limited to transactions involving money. It may also include using children or young people to create sexual images, making such images available for others to view, or distributing related content. Possessing sexual images of children or young people without a legitimate reason may also give rise to criminal liability.
2 Do Not Download or Share Harmful Images
Do not download, save or forward sexual images of children or young people out of curiosity, as a joke or on the pretext of “just sharing.” If you see suspected content in a group chat or online, do not pass it on to friends or family to identify it, and do not disclose the person’s name, photograph or other identifying information. Providing leads to the appropriate authorities, rather than sharing the images, is a better way to prevent further harm.
3 Seeking Help When Faced with Threats
If someone threatens to distribute sexual images to pressure you, do not agree to their demands out of fear. Ask someone you trust to stay with you and seek professional help. If your physical safety is under immediate threat, prioritize getting out of danger and contacting the police.
You may first note the relevant URLs, account names, times and threatening messages, and keep existing conversation records rather than rushing to delete them. For guidance on preserving, submitting or handling the sexual images themselves, follow the instructions of the police or the Sexual Image Abuse Reporting Center. Avoid downloading, copying or forwarding someone else’s images separately in an attempt to gather evidence.
Official Support Channel
The Ministry of Health and Welfare’s Sexual Image Abuse Reporting Center provides consultation, complaint services and assistance with image removal. If you experience covert photography or filming, the distribution of sexual images or related threats, you can access its services through its official website. Assistance with platform takedowns and reporting to the police are separate procedures; neither should replace the other.
4 Supporting and Protecting Children and Young People
When a child is willing to speak, listen and show care without blaming them. Do not ask the child to repeatedly explain what happened or show images to people who are not involved. Helping them seek support is often more important than asking why it happened.
Written by: Rtn. Mapleton
Respecting privacy, not sharing harmful content and offering support when needed are ways everyone can help protect others.
If you have safety concerns during your stay, please contact the front desk staff on duty. In an emergency, contact the police directly. People working in the accommodation industry who become aware of an incident of sexual exploitation involving a child or young person also have a legal duty to report it.
