Predators target kids in care – and Uruguay looks away

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Child Exploitation in Uruguay

Introduction

Three 14-year-old girls were found dead in Treinta y Tres province, Uruguay, under suspicious circumstances. These tragic incidents shed light on the issue of child exploitation and trafficking in the country. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) provide a framework for addressing such issues and promoting the well-being of children and adolescents.

Background

• At least 20 children and teenagers, including the three girls, were sexually exploited or trafficked while in state care in Treinta y Tres province.
• Allegations of sexual offences against children in the care of Uruguay’s state child welfare agency, Inau, date back to 2021.
• A joint report by Inau and the advocacy group Gurises Unidos identified 30 suspects or accomplices involved in the exploitation and trafficking ring, including police officers.

State Negligence and Lack of Programs

• Inau had no program in place to tackle sexual violence against children and adolescents in its care in the Treinta y Tres region.
• Commercial sexual violence is deeply rooted in Uruguay, with traumatic consequences for children, adolescents, and women.

Clouded in Uncertainty

• The details of the sexual exploitation and trafficking of the three girls, as well as the other victims, remain uncertain.
• No one has been held accountable for these crimes.

Extent of the Problem

• An estimated 30% of victims of sexual exploitation in Uruguay are minors under state protection.
• Many missing children and adolescents in Uruguay are under state protection, with reports of missing under-18s on the rise.

Lured using Deception, Drugs, or Romance

• Traffickers lure children directly from Inau homes or schools using deception, drugs, or romantic relationships.
• Sex work is legal in Uruguay, but pimping and trafficking are crimes. Any sexual commerce with minors under the age of 18 is also criminalized as exploitation.

Operation Ocean and Beyond

• Operation Ocean, a high-profile sexual exploitation case in Uruguay, revealed the tip of the iceberg.
• Many cases go unreported, and survivors often do not receive assistance.

Challenges and Corruption

• The investigations into the deaths of the three girls have faced challenges and allegations of corruption.
• Progress has been hindered due to potential links to the police.

Conclusion

The cases of child exploitation and trafficking in Uruguay highlight the urgent need to address this issue and protect the rights and well-being of children and adolescents. The Sustainable Development Goals provide a framework for promoting justice, equality, and the eradication of child exploitation.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis:

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 5: Gender Equality
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

The article discusses the sexual exploitation and trafficking of children and adolescents in Uruguay, which is a violation of their rights and undermines gender equality. It also highlights the failure of law enforcement and judicial authorities to address these issues, indicating a lack of strong institutions and justice.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• SDG 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation.
• SDG 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against and torture of children.

The article highlights the sexual exploitation and trafficking of children and adolescents, which aligns with the targets of eliminating violence against women and girls (SDG 5.2) and ending abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and violence against children (SDG 16.2).

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Number of reported cases of sexual exploitation and trafficking of children and adolescents
• Number of convictions and legal actions taken against perpetrators
• Number of programs and initiatives implemented to prevent and address sexual exploitation and trafficking

The article mentions the number of reported cases of sexual exploitation and trafficking, as well as the legal actions taken in the Operation Ocean case. These indicators can be used to measure progress towards the targets of eliminating violence and abuse against women, girls, and children. Additionally, the implementation of programs and initiatives to prevent and address sexual exploitation and trafficking can also be used as an indicator of progress.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

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Source: opendemocracy.net

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