Brazil’s World Cup Raises Fear of Rampant Child Prostitution:

The world's most popular sporting event to be held in Brazil next year may be a magnet for sex tourists seeking underage prostitutes…

Brazil plays host to the World Cup soccer tournament in June 2014, which will likely lead to an increase in demand for sex workers. “We’ve seen more girls on the streets since the Confederations Cup began [in June this year],” Costa says. “That’s only the Confederations Cup, not the World Cup where this will increase hugely.” World Cup hosts often see an influx of prostitutes hoping to cash in on fans from around the world. Brazil is expecting some 600,000 foreigners for the soccer tournament, according to authorities here. Thiago, the ex-pimp, says that 70-80% of the clients at his Sao Paulo brothel were tourists.

The Brazilian government under President Dilma Rousseff has attempted to bring in some measures to both put an end to child prostitution and make life for older prostitutes safer. At major festivities such as Carnival in recent years, the government has distributed thousands of kits containing information on how to report child exploitation.

However, the government’s more recent “happy being a prostitute” campaign, which aimed to persuade sex workers to use condoms, backfired when launched in June. “We are fighting childhood prostitution and here comes a campaign encouraging it,” said Federal deputy Liliam Sa at the time, according to Reuters. One NGO is currently helping by offering English lessons to sex workers but relatively little is being achieved to curb the industry in child prostitution, despite former President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva making it one of his campaign pledges a decade ago.

Amanda (a victim) looks forward both to her 14th birthday and life ahead. “I dream to have a husband and family. I’d like to be an engineer,” she says. But she keeps running back to her life on the streets. Says a disappointed Costa: “It is heartbreaking but it needs to be her choice to move on.” 

 
Read more: Brazil's 2014 World Cup: Magnet for Child Prostitution | TIME.com http://world.time.com/2013/12/12/brazils-world-cup-raises-fear-of-rampant-child-prostitution/#ixzz2ofgK5ybY

Alarming rise in ‘Attacks’ on Girl Students

Schools and colleges are increasingly becoming hotbeds for sexual harassment against girl students , the government and activists said, over 60 cases involving females were booked in the past five months.

The AP Women's Commission said they were deeply worried as all cases of violence and harassment involves girl students and most of the perpetrators have turned out to be employees of an institution, including teachers, professors and even principals.

About 150 cases have been reported from Hyderabad and Cyberabad police limits in the last two months alone, with cases of molestation and attempted rape emerging from Hayatnagar, Madhapur and Mirpet in Cyberabad, activists said.

In July, a school owner was arrested for allegedly molesting a student studying in his school in Jeedimetla.

Last month, a school principal of a state-run school in Nalgonda district was arrested for raping a 15-year-old student and even getting her pregnancy forcibly terminated .

In another case in Vijaywada last month, a school teacher was arrested and subsequently sacked after being accused of harassing female students of class VI and VII.

"The commission has intervened in all the cases of sexual harassment against girls which have come to its notice in the past five months. We have sought necessary help from concerned officials of the district administration and even the police," said Sunitha Krishnan, member of the AP Women's Commission.

"All victims have been given the relief due from the state, including counseling and monetary compensation of Rs 50,000 - Rs 1 lakh in the case of minors," she said.

Women and child rights activists in the city said there were over 50 cases of harassment against girl students reported over the past three months, with about 60% of them being taken up by the police.

They also said that cases were also emerging from private tuition classes and coaching centers.

Experts in the field of women and child rights said that most schools lack a screening mechanism for recruitment of teaching and non-teaching staff in schools, thus compromising on security of school children.

"Many institutions, mostly private ones, have no system of checking their employees' background such as criminal records, family background etc. Focus is only on teaching experience and expertise," said Isidore Philips of Divya Disha, a city-based NGO working towards the rights of women.

60 cases of sexual harassment cases have been booked in the past five months. This is in addition to hundreds of complaints of attacks in the same period.

Most of the perpetrators of the abuse have turned out to be teachers, professors and even principals of schools and colleges Most schools lack screening mechanism for recruitment of teaching and non-teaching staff.

Approximately Three Million Child Abuse Reports Annually...

Each day five children die as a result of abuse or neglect. On average, a child abuse report is made every ten seconds, a total of approximately three million child abuse reports annually.

Child abuse is doing something or failing to do something that results in harm to a child or puts a child at risk of harm. Child abuse can be physical, sexual or emotional. Neglect, or not providing for a child's needs, is also a form of abuse.

Most abused children suffer greater emotional than physical damage. An abused child may become depressed. He or she may withdraw, think of suicide or become violent. An older child may use drugs or alcohol, try to run away or abuse others.

Child abuse is a serious problem. If you suspect a child is being abused or neglected, call the police or your local child welfare agency.

Forms of Child Abuse:

Physical abuse

Any non-accidental injury to a child. This includes hitting, kicking, slapping, shaking, burning, pinching, hair pulling, biting, choking, throwing, shoving, whipping, and paddling.

Sexual abuse

Any sexual act between an adult and child. This includes fondling, penetration, intercourse, exploitation, pornography, exhibitionism, child prostitution, group sex, oral sex, or forced observation of sexual acts.

Neglect

Failure to provide for a child’s physical needs. This includes lack of supervision, inappropriate housing or shelter, inadequate provision of food and water, inappropriate clothing for season or weather, abandonment, denial of medical care and inadequate hygiene.

Emotional abuse

Any attitude or behavior which interferes with a child’s mental health or social development. This includes yelling, screaming, name-calling, shaming, negative comparisons to others, telling them they are “bad, no good, worthless” or “a mistake.” It also includes the failure to provide the affection and support necessary for the development of a child’s emotional, social, physical and intellectual well-being. This includes ignoring, lack of appropriate physical affection (hugs), not saying “I love you,” withdrawal of attention, lack of praise and lack of positive reinforcement.

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The following child abuse prevention guidelines to help keep your child or a child you care for from becoming a statistic.

Prevention of child Abuse

Child Abuse Prevention Guidelines

• Never discipline your child when your anger is out of control.
• Participate in your child’s activities and get to know your child’s friends.
• Never leave your child unattended, especially in the car.
• Teach your child the difference between “good touches,” “bad touches” and “confusing touches.
• Ask questions; for example, when your child tells you he or she doesn’t want to be with someone, this could be a red flag.
• Listen to them and believe what they say.
• Be aware of changes in your child’s behavior or attitude, and inquire into it.
• Teach your child what to do if you and your child become separated while away from home.
• Teach your child the correct names of his/her private body parts.
• Be alert for any talk that reveals a premature sexual understanding.
• Pay attention when someone shows greater than normal interest in your child.
• Make certain your child’s school or day care center will release him/her only to you or someone you officially designate.

To learn more about child abuse prevention, call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-CHILD® (1-800-422-4453). The 24-hour hotline is staffed with professional counselors who offer information about child abuse prevention as well as crisis intervention, literature, and referrals to thousands of emergency, social service and support resources.