FIFA World Cup 2014 and the hovering clouds of child sex tourism

Everyone is excited about the mega event of 2014, the FIFA World Cup. This year, the Land of Football, Brazil is hosting the tournament and 32 international teams are going to be a part of it. Brazilians have a great love for football but sometimes aggression and hostility takes over the passion. Fortaleza, the sex capital of Brazil is expecting more than 6000 foreigners that will definitely increase the child abuse rate. In 2012, the NGO National Forum for the Prevention of Child Labour unveiled statistics that there are more than 500000 child sex workers in Brazil. It is a crime to exploit minors but Brazil has been doing it repeatedly for many years and the number has increased to a heap now.

147701402

With World Cup just around the corner, street children of ages 8 to 15 are in clear-cut danger as people have been looking like ravenous vultures for them. Minors are seen all over the city who are willing to work as sex workers but the authorities are concerned and are working towards prevention of the crime. A non-profit organization Barraca da Amizade, is also prowling near stadiums looking for young prostitutes and giving them advice against sex workers. According to them, most young workers do this kind of act to support their families.

While questioning, the child sex workers said that during tournament the work would be non-stop. UK-based Happy Child organisation launched an “It’s A Penalty” campaign to tackle the sexual exploitation of children. Some famous footballers are also a part of this campaign. Media, on the other hand, has also helped authorities by providing some relevant news on the situation. Brazilian Government is looking out for help by The Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) to incorporate the tournament with educational activities for children so that instead of involving with sex the children tend towards doing something educational.

frightened woman

Jacinta Rodrigues, from Barraca da Amizade said that the Police forces have been given a right to baton charge but this will not help controlling the sex trafficking instead will result in violence and brutality. During the Confederations Cup, the Police beat sex workers to keep them away from tourists.  Street Child World Cup is another association that helps in ending up police roundups. The association was also a part of 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

A better advice has to be given to children who are a primary target of sex traffickers. We will be looking forward to the World Cup and do not expect to hear stories about children being abused during the mega event.

Today's Top Articles:

Scroll to Top