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Brazil steps up alert on sexual trafficking
BY RAYMOND COLITT
Brazil turned to unvarnished messages to warn its women about being lured abroad for sexual exploitation.
October 19, 2004 – (Miami Herald) Brazilian women obtaining travel documents to go abroad are being given a leaflet showing a naked woman with a message stamped on her back: ``First they take your passport, then your freedom.''
The brochure initiative, launched this month, is part of an government awareness campaign to help prevent illegal trafficking of women for sexual exploitation abroad.
The trading of women from mostly poor countries generates $9 billion a year and is the third largest illegal trade after drugs and arms, according to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, the UNODC. The figure could be much larger, some observers say.
The number of Brazilian women forced into prostitution abroad has increased considerably in recent years. Most of them are coaxed by international criminal organizations and taken mainly to Spain, Portugal and Italy.
Women, mostly between 18 and 21, are enticed with promises of jobs but, upon arrival, have their passports taken and are forced into prostitution to pay off their travel debt.
''Dreams usually end up as nightmares. It is a very serious situation that is still not well known here,'' said Claudia Chagas, secretary of justice.
Most of the women leave the country voluntarily, and often there is no apparent criminal activity the police can interdict. As a result the government is seeking to generate awareness.
STARK MESSAGES
Some of the warnings on the pamphlets being distributed read: ''You may never see your family again,'' and ``Beware of unexpected affectionate advances or generous job offers.''
The campaign in the four most-affected states includes radio ads as well as large warning signs at airports. Prostitutes are to receive ornamental condom cases printed with warning messages.
SPREADING AWARENESS
Police officers, judges and diplomats working at foreign consulates in Brazil are also to be trained. Between 2000 and 2003, for instance, only 22 cases were taken to court, and, so far, only two cases have resulted in prison sentences.
The traffickers, working for criminal organizations that include night clubs and dating agencies, are usually Brazilian and not only men.
''They should at least be suspicious of a maid or baby sitter claiming to have a job in Rome or elsewhere,'' said Marcos Colares, an advisor at the Ministry of Justice.
The program is cosponsored by the UNODC and the government of Portugal.
From: http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/world/americas/9954477.htm?1c
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