Carnival time in Salvador, Brazil's former colonial capital. Over 2 million
tourists come here each year for the music, the food -- and the sex.
But a new United Nations report has lifted the lid on a side of the sex
industry that Brazilians would rather NOT talk about.
It found that up to half a million children are working in the sex trade
here -- twice the number in Thailand.
Brazil has become the new child sex capital of the world.
SECRET CAMERA
In the city's backstreets, children and teenagers are readily available --
for a bewildering array of sexual services.
Most use rooms in hotels, and rooms above bars, to work in.
UPSOT LIVE SEX MAN
We have strippers, live sex, girl on girl action.
Nereida Espirito Santo works for the only charity in Salvador that helps the
city's youngest prostitutes.
SET UP
Maiana is homeless. She's just 12 years old -- but she's already a two year
veteran of these streets.
SOT:
MAIANA
I charge £2 to locals, to foreigners I charge a tenner or more. I have a lot
of luck picking up foreigners. Sometimes I'm not so lucky if I leave this
square. I don't do that now. I'm too scared.
What happens?
Some guys are nasty to me, do bad things to me.
SETUP NEREIDA
Nereida says Brazil has become the world's number one destination for sex
tours.
SOT:
NEREIDA ESPIRITO SANTO
CEDECA Children's Charity
It's because of the tourists these young girls build up these fairy tales
for themselves, they dream of marrying one of these men, maybe leaving
Brazil for good, be a mother of a family, thus resolving all their financial
and personal problems in one go.
But the UN's report has revealed another shocking layer to Brazil's sex
trade: it found that the men running it were, in many instances, working at
the highest level of society -- as politicians and church leaders.
The government has now launched its own investigation into the child sex
rings. Over 800 cases have been looked at: so far 15 politicians have been
imprisoned. It found that children were being sold for as little as 10
pence; some were supplied to brothels abroad.
SOT:
WALDEMAR OLIVEIRA
Head of CEDECA
We have received information and followed cases involving town councillors
and mayors. In one case the President of the Council has been abusing a
three year old. We know this.
Child sex is Brazil's unspoken vice. Under current laws, sex with minors is
not a criminal offence. The government's rushing through legislation to
change that.
SOT:
WALDEMAR OLIVEIRA
Head of CEDECA
This is a cultural problem. We have a saying here - the best cure for an old
horse is fresh grass. This applies to our young girls. We have a very macho
culture.
But the problem is deeply entrenched. Not just in Brazil's tourist traps --
but also in the home. A new police unit has been set up to combat child
abuse -- police say they're staggered by how widespread the abuse is.
Cesar Braga is the community liaison officer.
CESAR GOING THROUGH PHOTOS OF RAPISTS
'UP SYNC This guy raped his two daughters.
These are just this year's convictions.
UPSYNC CESAR Rapist. Rapist. Rapist.'
INTO THE PRISON
These men are all awaiting trial.
SOT 1 Prisoner
It wasn't the police who caught me, it was the security guard at the bus
station. He says he caught me in the toilet giving oral sex to a little boy.
SOT 2 Prisoner
I'm in here for raping a nine year old girl. I'm not innocent, I did it. I
was angry at her mother and I was drunk, so I raped the little girl.
CAMPAIGN VIDEO
UPSYNC - Who stays silent is consenting?
The governments even drafted in the country's celebrities in a high profile
anti-abuse campaign.
NIGHT SHOTS OF POLICE AT WORK
The police, too, have been given new powers -- and a bigger budget to crack
down on the child sex trade.
STILLS TWO CHARGED
They're claiming some successes. These two Europeans were arrested a few
weeks ago for allegedly having sex with minors. Both are awaiting trial.
But arrests like this remain the exception. Most police units are badly
underfunded and many are corrupt. The judicial system is painfully slow. And
not everyone's happy about the crackdown.
SOT:
KATIA BRASIL
Police chief of Special Child Unit
When CEDECA started campaigning against the sexual abuse of minors, the
hotels here didn't want to take part. They wanted to pretend it wasn't
happening, because they thought it would stop the tourists from coming here.
Girls like these say they would love to leave the streets behind but its
economics that keep them there.
SYNC: Maiana 12 yrs
Once I've found someone who helps me and likes me and I like them then I'll
leave this life for good, God willing.
SYNC: Priscilla 13 yrs
I want to be a mother, have another life. I want to look after my little
sister.
The tourist dollar here is worth more than the minimum wage. That's the real
challenge the government faces in trying to halt their trade.
David Notman-Watt Channel Four News Salvador in Northeastern Brazil
SOURCES: All filmed by David Notman-Watt of Back2Back productions ltd.
(David Notman-Watt retains international rights, mob: 07802 416217)
tourists come here each year for the music, the food -- and the sex.
But a new United Nations report has lifted the lid on a side of the sex
industry that Brazilians would rather NOT talk about.
It found that up to half a million children are working in the sex trade
here -- twice the number in Thailand.
Brazil has become the new child sex capital of the world.
SECRET CAMERA
In the city's backstreets, children and teenagers are readily available --
for a bewildering array of sexual services.
Most use rooms in hotels, and rooms above bars, to work in.
UPSOT LIVE SEX MAN
We have strippers, live sex, girl on girl action.
Nereida Espirito Santo works for the only charity in Salvador that helps the
city's youngest prostitutes.
SET UP
Maiana is homeless. She's just 12 years old -- but she's already a two year
veteran of these streets.
SOT:
MAIANA
I charge £2 to locals, to foreigners I charge a tenner or more. I have a lot
of luck picking up foreigners. Sometimes I'm not so lucky if I leave this
square. I don't do that now. I'm too scared.
What happens?
Some guys are nasty to me, do bad things to me.
SETUP NEREIDA
Nereida says Brazil has become the world's number one destination for sex
tours.
SOT:
NEREIDA ESPIRITO SANTO
CEDECA Children's Charity
It's because of the tourists these young girls build up these fairy tales
for themselves, they dream of marrying one of these men, maybe leaving
Brazil for good, be a mother of a family, thus resolving all their financial
and personal problems in one go.
But the UN's report has revealed another shocking layer to Brazil's sex
trade: it found that the men running it were, in many instances, working at
the highest level of society -- as politicians and church leaders.
The government has now launched its own investigation into the child sex
rings. Over 800 cases have been looked at: so far 15 politicians have been
imprisoned. It found that children were being sold for as little as 10
pence; some were supplied to brothels abroad.
SOT:
WALDEMAR OLIVEIRA
Head of CEDECA
We have received information and followed cases involving town councillors
and mayors. In one case the President of the Council has been abusing a
three year old. We know this.
Child sex is Brazil's unspoken vice. Under current laws, sex with minors is
not a criminal offence. The government's rushing through legislation to
change that.
SOT:
WALDEMAR OLIVEIRA
Head of CEDECA
This is a cultural problem. We have a saying here - the best cure for an old
horse is fresh grass. This applies to our young girls. We have a very macho
culture.
But the problem is deeply entrenched. Not just in Brazil's tourist traps --
but also in the home. A new police unit has been set up to combat child
abuse -- police say they're staggered by how widespread the abuse is.
Cesar Braga is the community liaison officer.
CESAR GOING THROUGH PHOTOS OF RAPISTS
'UP SYNC This guy raped his two daughters.
These are just this year's convictions.
UPSYNC CESAR Rapist. Rapist. Rapist.'
INTO THE PRISON
These men are all awaiting trial.
SOT 1 Prisoner
It wasn't the police who caught me, it was the security guard at the bus
station. He says he caught me in the toilet giving oral sex to a little boy.
SOT 2 Prisoner
I'm in here for raping a nine year old girl. I'm not innocent, I did it. I
was angry at her mother and I was drunk, so I raped the little girl.
CAMPAIGN VIDEO
UPSYNC - Who stays silent is consenting?
The governments even drafted in the country's celebrities in a high profile
anti-abuse campaign.
NIGHT SHOTS OF POLICE AT WORK
The police, too, have been given new powers -- and a bigger budget to crack
down on the child sex trade.
STILLS TWO CHARGED
They're claiming some successes. These two Europeans were arrested a few
weeks ago for allegedly having sex with minors. Both are awaiting trial.
But arrests like this remain the exception. Most police units are badly
underfunded and many are corrupt. The judicial system is painfully slow. And
not everyone's happy about the crackdown.
SOT:
KATIA BRASIL
Police chief of Special Child Unit
When CEDECA started campaigning against the sexual abuse of minors, the
hotels here didn't want to take part. They wanted to pretend it wasn't
happening, because they thought it would stop the tourists from coming here.
Girls like these say they would love to leave the streets behind but its
economics that keep them there.
SYNC: Maiana 12 yrs
Once I've found someone who helps me and likes me and I like them then I'll
leave this life for good, God willing.
SYNC: Priscilla 13 yrs
I want to be a mother, have another life. I want to look after my little
sister.
The tourist dollar here is worth more than the minimum wage. That's the real
challenge the government faces in trying to halt their trade.
David Notman-Watt Channel Four News Salvador in Northeastern Brazil
SOURCES: All filmed by David Notman-Watt of Back2Back productions ltd.
(David Notman-Watt retains international rights, mob: 07802 416217)