COMING SOON – Launch of research on commercial sexual exploitation of children and adolescents

In November, Promundo launches the publication “Men, Women and the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children and Adolescents in Four Cities of Brazil: results of a qualitative and quantitative study”. In addition to the presentation of the research results, there will be a conversation with experts on the topic and the screening of the film Stolen Dreams. The event will take place at Cinema Nosso, in Lapa.

With the mega sporting events, the World Cup and the Olympics, approaching, the issue of sexual exploitation of children and adolescents (ESCCA) gains relevance and greater attention from governments, social and human rights organizations due to the increase in the number of tourists entering the country and the mobilization of workers caused by major works.

The research, funded by the OAK Foundation, was carried out in Rio de Janeiro, Itaperuna (RJ), Natal and Florianópolis and sought to map and understand the perceptions, attitudes and practices of men and women on different topics related to sexuality, prostitution, pornography and ESSCCA . Results indicate that of 602 respondents in Rio de Janeiro, 14% responded that they had had sexual relations with minors under 18 years of age. Furthermore, a significant number of respondents, 41% of men in Rio de Janeiro and 46% of women, stated that they consider sexual activity with minors under 18 to be “adolescent prostitution” and not sexual exploitation. The research also reveals a difference in perception regarding gender: there was greater intolerance towards prostituted teenage boys, with a greater tendency to blame them, than towards girls in the same conditions.

An interesting fact that points to the possibility of intervention towards prevention is that the many men who said they had had sexual relations with minors under the age of 18 sought to attribute a greater degree of intimacy to the relationship, trying to minimize exploitation or even guilt. The study also presents recommendations for actions to prevent ESCCA and to change the attitudes of adults who sexually exploit children and adolescents.