Uruguay against child sexual exploitation

Commercial sexual exploitation of children and adolescents is one of the most serious violations of the rights of children and adolescents. Unfortunately, it is one of the fastest growing organized crime activities worldwide and Uruguay is not exempt.

Just as measures were taken due to COVID-19 in the month of March, the Organized Crime Division and Interpol began an investigation called "Operation Ocean". The investigation has uncovered a network of sexual exploitation in the city of Punta del Este and there are over 20 people indicted in the case to date. Victims have been encouraged to come forward through an special hotline set up for the case. The case has brought light to the issue of sexual exploitation in Uruguay through media coverage.

As a way to strengthen prevention within the non-profit and educational sector during the COVID-19 pandemic, Claves has launched an online course on how to use our short film "High Season" as a tool for raising awareness among teens.

"High Season" is a short film produced by Claves in 2019 as an educational tool for prevention. The film focuses on the story of a vulnerable teenager who is targeted by a sexual exploitation network. A man in his 30s, who has established a pseudo relationship with the teen, invites her to work as a waitress in Punta del Este during the summer "high season". The ending is left open as to whether she decides to accept the invitation or not. This allows for reflection with adolescents on the subject, helping them to think about what they would do if they or their friends found themselves in similar circumstances. The workshops seek to help teens identify potential risk situations as well as to strengthen their personal safety network.

You can see the trailer and short film through the links below.

Links:

• "High Season" Trailer
• "High Season" Short film

Since 2010, Uruguay has marked December 7th as the "National Day against Child Sexual Exploitation". To mark the 9th anniversary, the "Uruguay against child sexual exploitation" campaign took to the streets in Montevideo.

On December 6th and 7th, a group of youth volunteers and adult mentors came together to train and carry out public awareness activities in the CH Municipality of Montevideo. They learned about how the issue of sexual exploitation affects young people in Uruguay, as well as concrete strategies to change this reality.

Raising awareness among youth and adults regarding this serious issue has helped to increase the numbers of cases reported over the last five years. According to Luis Purtscher, director of the Committe to Erradicate Sexual Exploitation of Children, 380 cases were reported in 2018 alone, which represents an increase of 48% compared to 2015. In 2008, only 20 cases were detected due to the lack of awareness at that time.

The "Uruguay against child sexual exploitation" campaign continues to work to raise awareness and contribute to the erradication of this violation of children's rights.

Links:

• Video