Hundreds of children and young people leave Brazil’s slums and misery every day in search of tourists. There is no food on the table at home. On the beaches of Fortaleza, there are many men looking for simple and cheap bodies. Left to fend for themselves or into prostitution at the instigation of their parents, many children try to survive on whatever Fortaleza nights have to offer — sex and drugs.
NGOs are working to save some of these children, but sleeping on the floor is a minor disaster for the 400 street children in Fortaleza on a sweltering night in northeastern Brazil. Homeless, without food and parental love, they quickly become experts in petty theft, drugs and prostitution. On the street and in newspaper advertisements, all Brazilian women sold to tourists are 18; no more, no less. They forged documents and avoided major roads to avoid the police, who are now more vigilant about the sexual exploitation of children.
An estimated 200,000 men travel to poor countries each year in search of sex. Fortaleza is perfect for you. Italians, Spaniards and Portuguese are the most common customers. Guys get pleasure, girls get money; three to a maximum of twenty euros. According to the latest data from the Brazilian Geographical Study, 62% of the population lives below the poverty line. Brazilians are at the mercy of tourists. Women want to escape poverty while men think everything can be sold. The lack of opportunity puts tourists in a disloyal competition.
The industry is structured so that there are no laws preventing exploiters from profiting from Brazil’s misery. Foreigners and some Brazilians rent houses on the beach, and taxi drivers will take girls there. In this business, profit is the rule. Drug dealers realize that hookers are the best sellers. It’s great for dealers because it’s addictive and also sets up the smuggling system. This prevents her from turning him in because she also becomes a trader.
Although rare, cases of incarceration for sexual exploitation have increased in Brazil. But the industry knows how to exploit any loopholes in the legislation. Along with drugs and prostitution, sex tourism is also a route for human trafficking.
