Uruguay against child sexual exploitation

As summer rolls around in Uruguay, the Claves Program has again amped up the activities of the campaign against child sexual exploitation. Vacation time in Uruguay means that it is also time for prevention and the protection of children and adolescents.

In the month of December, over 50 adolescents and youth from different areas of Uruguay participated in the activities in the department of Maldonado, promoting the campaign "Uruguay against child sexual exploitation", as a form of prevention of sexual exploitation of minors. 

On December 7th, the campaign also observed the "National Day Against Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children and Adolescents".

During the month of January, the "Uruguay against child sexual exploitation" campaign took to the streets of Montevideo to reach different hotels and tourist centers of the capital city. Volunteers offered brochures, maps and stickers with information about the campaign. Several awareness raising activities were also held about the prevention of child sexual exploitation within the tourism industry. Hotels in the city center, Old City, Pocitos, Carrasco and Punta Carretas also joined the campaign for the prevention of child sexual exploitation. We visualize the tourism as a key ally in child protection throughout our country.

The campaign, organized by the Claves Program, is in its fourth year.

Links:

• 2017 Campaign Ad
• Campaign Intervention in Maldonado
• Campaign Facebook

Things are starting to heat up in Uruguay as the summer months approach. The campaign "Uruguay against child sexual exploitation" is in the preparation process. As part of the ramp up to the campaign, the campaign organizers and a youth promoter participated in the 4th Conference of the Regional Action Group of the Americas (GARA), which was held in Uruguay from October 18th to 20th, which concentrated on the topic "Exploitation Free Tourism".

We are also designing the informational materials that will be used this year as well as the television commercial that will be shown on local channels as well as LED screens throughout the country.

The commercial is inspired by teens in Colonia, who came up with the idea to paint their bodies with messages that are important for adults to hear:

"Take care of me"

"I want to feel safe"

"I'm priceless"

"My body, my voice"

In the words of the youth campaign promoter Anna, "I'm really happy to be a part of this and to see people's positive response. On our last day, we went to an area of the department that we felt was more vulnerable to sexual exploitation of children and teens. We saw that there was a lot of heavy industry in this area, over 2,000 truck drivers pass through each day, as well as houses of prostitution. There were very few spaces for youth participation. We were surprised, however, by the positive reception we received from the press and from the town. That really makes me happy and encourages me to continue working."

These testimonies encourage us all to continue the campaign against child sexual exploitation in Uruguay. More than ever, it's necessary to build a country where everyone's wellbeing is taken into account and protected. 

Links:

• Youtube: Uruguay against child sexual exploitation
• Claves Website