Invisible lives - Against sexual exploitation

why we work

More than a million and a half children are obliged to enter the international circuits of sexual exploitation every year. These add to an already large population of ten million children who live on networks of prostitution, trafficking, sexual tourism and pornography (data supplied by UNICEF).
According to UNICEF, sexual trade is an industry worth 12 billion dollars a year, making it the third largest illegal activity, in terms of value, after the trafficking of drugs and arms.

Our aimsIN ITALY, WE GIVE VOICE TO THE INVISIBLE CHILDREN
Intervita promotes an information and sensitization campaign on the phenomenon of the sexual exploitation of children, to ensure that an increasing number of adults are aware of the situation and take action to fight against it.

Where we work

In Brazil

In the coastal area of Fortaleza, Intervita promotes a sustainable tourism project involving 11 communities and a total of 394 people, for the majority the young and women. The aim is to encourage the construction of a network of tourist services managed directly by local communities, in respect of the environment and traditional culture. Specific courses provide the tools necessary to manage small community guesthouses and public places. Sensitisation activities will be developed to prevent the phenomenon of sexual exploitation.

Leggi la scheda del Brasile

In Cambodia

In Battambang, Intervita supports a Welcome and recovery centre for underage victims of the trafficking of human beings and for children living on the street. Approximately 120 children aged between 5 and 18, find safe refuge in the Centre. Here, specialized staff take care of them, providing medical, psychological assistance and accompanying them through scholastic or professional inclusion for the older children. Each child’s history is reconstructed to retrace the family and encourage, where possible, their return to their original nucleus. Support is also given to the parents, both in terms of psychological and economic aid.
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Sensitisation work

The book ‘Vite Invisibili’ (Invisible Lives)
The book published by Intervita traces an international overview of the phenomenon. It collects data from various sources to describe the legal situation in various different countries, analyzing the social-economic conditions. It is a valid information tool as well as an easy-reading text.

The event ‘Bambini a dondolo’ (‘Rocking’ children)
‘Bambini a dondolo’ is an event-inquiry into sexual tourism written and interpreted by actor Giulio Cavalli and co-produced by Intervita. The representation shows the phenomenon not as an exotic problem, but rather highlights the western ‘exporters and therefore filers of the patent of this procedure, the result of economic issues and perverse social dynamics’.