Brazil launches campaign against sexual exploitation during World Cup

A campaign entitled “Don’t look away,” against the sexual exploitation of children and adolescents, was launched on Monday (Mar. 24) in Brasília, and aims to prevent crimes and encourage reporting during the World Cup. For this reason, the measure will take place in the busiest spots of the country’s 12 host cities.

With the slogan “The sexual exploitation of children and adolescents is a crime. Report now. Dial 100,” the campaign is announced by Brazil’s soccer stars Kaká and Juninho Pernambucano. "Dial 100" refers to a toll-free hotline provided by teams assembled specially for the World Cup.

In the view of Marcelo Nascimento, coordinator-general of the System for Ensuring the Rights of Children and Adolescents, the country is preparing to prevent the crime. “It’s a dialogue with society, not just for the World Cup, but in other big events. May it be remembered that we do not tolerate the violation of the rights of children and adolescents in Brazil.”

In South Africa, there was a 30% rise in cases of sexual exploitation of children and adolescents during the 2010 World Cup, and this is among the reasons behind the initiative in Brazil. The campaign will also be taken to 19 countries in Europe and Africa, in Portuguese, English and Spanish.

Eunice Carvalhido, attorney-general in the Federal District and Neighboring Territories regards the topic as an urgent and delicate one. “The articulation of the Public Power makes new strategies available in the fight against this practice, which in many cases is connived at by family members. Following the act, threats and fear ensue, so the aid of health agents and social services is needed in order to have the victims well-assisted,” she said.

Translated by Fabrício Ferreira