In Brazil, 183 victims of child sexual exploitation rescued

Brazil’s Ministry of Justice and Public Safety on Wednesday (May 18) unveiled the outcome of operation Parador 27, on the abuse and sexual exploitation of children along federal and state highways throughout the country. During 16 days, from May 2 to 17, 183 sexually exploited children and teenagers were rescued—over five times the 33 rescues made in 2021.

The efforts mobilized federal security bodies including the Federal Highway Police and the Federal Police, in addition to civil and military police from all 27 Brazilian states. Altogether, 811 reports were investigated. Approximately 540 locations were mapped, more than 9 thousand places inspected, and about 96.5 thousand people were questioned.   

Among the reasons behind the improved results was the operation’s expanded scope this year, which covered some 2.8 thousand municipalities and engaged more than 12.1 thousand agents. In addition, the methodology for defining the areas of operation was enhanced. 

“Last year, our area of operational interest was basically limited to federal and state highways. However, we observed that crime often migrates, so the area was expanded to include the streets as well as regions around federal and state highways. This allowed us to provide more efficient protection for the exploited children and adolescents,” said Colonel Julian Rocha Pontes, general-coordinator with the National Integrated Command and Control Center of the ministry’s Operations Board.

A total of 637 people were reported to have been arrested this year, compared to last year’s 101. Also detained were 91 minors. “Unfortunately, minors, besides being victims, are in some cases the perpetrators themselves,” Pontes stated.

Another 354 minors were sent to guardianship councils, with the assistance of the Ministry of Women, Family, and Human Rights.