Shameful numbers: Child sexual exploitation grows

This story was published originally at Viva Favela

Two million children are victims of abuse and sexual exploitation in Latin America and the Caribbean, according to data from the United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF, divulged during the III World Congress Against Sexual Exploitation of Children and Adolescents, held in Rio de Janeiro the last week of November.

According to Nils Kastberg, UNICEF regional director, crimes of this nature have spread, and are growing propelled by the internet in a number of countries. He notes that the lack of specific information on the topic only makes these children, boys and girls, increasingly vulnerable.

“Despite some progress over the past few years noted by governments, NGOs and civil society, there are signs that crimes against children are spreading worldwide. The fact that millions of children and adolescents remain uninformed is an aggravating factor, since it is only through greater awareness that governments can plan actions and dedicate budgets to end the problem,” said Kastberg.  In Brazil, for example, five new complaints of child and youth sexual exploitation are recorded daily by dedicated call centers.

Carmen Madriñán, executive direction of Ecpat, an international organization dedicated to the eradication of child prostitution and pornography believes that one of the main challenges in combating the sexual exploitation of children and youth globally is to fit the topic into the political agenda of a number of countries that lack to this day policy that addresses the issue.

“When the topic is child sexual exploitation, we are met with a wall of silence. It was only in 1996 that we were able to discuss it openly with the representatives of a number of nations, but many countries refused to take part,” said Madriñán, citing the first Congress to Combat the Sexual Exploitation of Children and Youth.

The ‘Rio Plan of Action’, policy and norms to be complied with

The Third Congress brought together three thousand delegates and representatives from 137 nations, civil society organizations and international agencies with the goal of creating a common agenda, known as the Rio Plan of Action. The Rio Plan formalizes a number of legal norms and public policy instruments that must be complied with by participating nations.

The III Congress was the first time that youths and adolescents from 96 countries took part in the meeting; among them was Victoria Odhiambo, who came from Kenya to show the work she does at home:

“The situation in Kenya is grave. It has progressed beyond simple sexual tourism and has evolved into a very serious digital pornography ring, and a result of the poverty in the nation. Often all members of a specific community have a role in the process and this makes it very hard for the police to act since no one wants to file complaints,” sadi Odhiambo.

Still according to Victoria Odhiambo, the majority of exploited youths lack information on sexually transmitted diseases and are not aware of their rights or who they can go to for help. Many grow up to become child exploiters themselves, creating a vicious cycle. “To talk about this issue in my country is very dangerous. There are a lot of people involved, who make money out of it, but people must speak out against it,” she said.

In Brazil one of the great hurdles is the delay in punishing crimes. Even for those crimes prosecuted with strict laws, such as the case of internet pedophiles enacted by President Lula at the Congress’ opening ceremony, there remains a sense of impunity. It is likewise, one of the great problems in the interior and areas that have been less developed economically. This was noted by Rosana França, a member of the National Committee for Combatting the Sexual Exploitation of Children and Adolescents in the Brazilian Northeast:
 

“There were a few cases in which we were able to denounce criminals through complaints made to the Disque 100 call center. But nothing came of it. In cases such as these, the accused maintained their freedom while being processed, and ended up making new victims before being punished for their crimes”.  

UNICEF’s Kastberg believes the time has come for all to join forces in combating crimes against children: “It is high time that society becomes ashamed of these practices. To continue to be indifferent to them means we accept this situation.”

Read Further:

The III Congress