“A Barbarous Crime”

MARIAa became a child prostitute when she was 14 years old. She adopted this horrible life-style at the insistence of her own mother, who told her that she was beautiful and that men would like her very much. Besides, she would earn a lot of money. In the evenings Maria’s mother took her to a motel where they made contacts. The mother remained nearby to receive the payments. Each night, Maria had sex with three or four men.

Not far from Maria’s home, 13-year-old Carina was also forced into prostitution. Like many other families living in her community of sugarcane workers, Carina’s family sold her body to supplement their limited income. In another area Estela left school at a young age, not even knowing how to read and write, and began working as a street prostitute. And Daisy was about six years old when she was sexually molested by one of her brothers​—the first of many incestuous acts perpetrated on her. She became a prostitute at the age of 14.

In many parts of the world, the problem of child prostitution is a frightening reality. The results are tragic. Often, child prostitutes, whether occasional or full-time, also become involved in crime and drug abuse. Many of them feel frustrated and worthless, seeing little or no prospect of escaping their wretched lives.

Influential personalities recognize the devastating effects of child prostitution. Brazil’s ex-President Fernando Henrique Cardoso aptly stated: “Child prostitution is a barbarous crime.” A Brazilian newspaper published this sobering comment about child prostitution: “Countries where such a practice is common, tolerated, accepted, and even sought after because of the [money] it brings experience every day the devastation that it causes. Any financial profit it may produce is inevitably annulled by the individual, family, and social disasters generated by such a practice.”

Yet, despite the noble intentions of those who want to stop child prostitution, the problem is growing. What leads to this horrific situation? Why do so many tolerate or even promote such criminal activity?

[Footnote]

[Blurb on page 3]

“Child prostitution is a barbarous crime.”​—BRAZIL’S EX-PRESIDENT FERNANDO HENRIQUE CARDOSO

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“All forms of sexual exploitation are incompatible with human dignity, and therefore violate fundamental human rights, regardless of the age, gender, race, ethnicity or class of the victim.”​—UNESCO SOURCES

Why a Growing Problem?

DID you know that trafficking in humans represents the world’s third-largest criminal activity, surpassed only by drug and weapons trafficking? According to the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization, there is a steady increase in all kinds of prostitution.

In one Latin-American country, a Congressional Committee of Inquiry reported that there are more than 500,000 female child prostitutes, even though prostitution is illegal.

In another land, there are about 300,000 child prostitutes on the streets, especially in areas where there is drug traffic.

In Asian countries about one million young girls are reportedly used as prostitutes in conditions comparable to slavery. Some lands have the reputation of being meccas for child prostitution and sex tourism.

Because of the high incidence of sexually transmitted diseases, such as AIDS, customers are willing to pay far higher prices for children who are considered more likely to be virgins and thus less likely to be infected. “The fear of AIDS has caused men to seek ever younger girls and boys, which makes the problem even worse,” explains Luíza Nagib Eluf of Brazil’s Ministry of Justice. She said: “Sexual exploitation of girls and teenagers is the most serious social problem among poor women in Brazil.”

Poverty and Child Prostitution

Child prostitution thrives in an environment of misery and poverty. According to one government official, child exploitation and prostitution in her country are “clearly linked to the disintegration of the family and are fruits of misery and hunger.” Some parents claim that poverty led them to sell their children into prostitution. Street children resort to prostitution because they see it as their only means of survival.

The newspaper O Estado de S. Paulo explains that a girl may end up as a prostitute by running with a street gang. In order to get something to eat, she may steal and only occasionally sell her body. Next, she becomes a professional prostitute.

Sometimes teenagers are sent to other countries to work as prostitutes. “The money sent by emigrant prostitutes to their families often amounts to considerable sums given the poverty of some Asian and African countries,” reports UNESCO Sources. “Prostitution within these countries is also encouraged, with tourists from wealthy countries coming deliberately to take advantage of the ‘services’ provided by young people and children.”

Describing the dangers that street children who are prostitutes are exposed to in a Latin-American city, Time magazine reports: “Some of the prostitutes are as young as 12. Frequently the products of broken homes, they sleep wherever they can find a space during the day, and cruise the discos, where the sailors hang out, at night.”

Under the influence of drugs, a child prostitute may be subjected to indignities she normally would never agree to. For example, according to Veja magazine, the police found 92 videotapes in which a medical doctor recorded barbarous torture sessions of more than 50 women, some of these underage.

Despite this gruesome reality, a young prostitute stated: “If I looked for work, I would not be able to earn enough to eat because I have no profession. My family knows everything, and I do not want to give up this life. The body is mine, and I do as I wish with it.”

Yet, these girls had never set prostitution as a goal for themselves. According to a social worker, many young prostitutes “want to marry” and dream of a “Prince Charming.” While there are complex situations that lead to their taking up the life of a prostitute, one researcher claims: “The most shocking is that the majority were raped in their own homes.”

An End to Child Prostitution?

There is hope, however, for these unfortunate children. Prostitutes of all ages have changed their course in life. (See the box “People Can Change,” on page 7.) God’s Word, the Bible, has helped millions of people worldwide to become good neighbors and faithful family members. Concerning people who were formerly fornicators, adulterers, thieves, greedy persons, drunkards, we read: “That is what some of you were. But you have been washed clean, but you have been sanctified, but you have been declared righteous in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ and with the spirit of our God.”​—1 Corinthians 6:9-11.

Today, as in Bible times, there are individuals who are changing their ways for the better. Still, more is needed to stem the tide of sexual exploitation. Some governments and other organizations are fighting against sex tourism and child prostitution. But, realistically, there is little that men can do to eliminate misery and poverty. Lawmakers cannot prevent the thoughts and attitudes that are at the root of immorality.

However, instead of human efforts, another means will solve all these problems​—God’s Kingdom. The following article will explain.

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Poverty often contributes to child prostitution

[Box on page 6]

A High Price

When she was merely six years old, Daisy was sexually molested by one of her brothers. As a result, she stayed with her older brother until at 14 years of age she began to work in a nightclub. After a few days, Daisy fell ill. When she recovered, the owners confronted her with a debt, forcing her to work as a prostitute. About a year later, she was still in debt, and it seemed that she would never become free. However, a sailor paid the rest of her debt, taking her to another city, where he treated her like a slave. She left him, and later she lived with another man for three years, after which they married. Because of many serious marital problems, she attempted suicide three times.

Eventually, both she and her husband began to study the Bible. But Daisy felt unworthy of becoming one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. When she was shown from the Bible that Jehovah God accepts people who make the needed changes, she dedicated her life to him. Daisy made great efforts to do what is right, but she didn’t feel that it was enough and thus had periods of depression. Happily, though, she has accepted help to overcome the traumas caused by sexual abuse and her life as a child prostitute and to achieve and maintain balance.

[Box on page 7]

People Can Change

When Jesus Christ was on earth, he felt pity for afflicted, sinful people. He understood that prostitutes, regardless of their age, could change their life-style. Jesus even said to the religious leaders: “Truly I say to you that the tax collectors and the harlots are going ahead of you into the kingdom of God.” (Matthew 21:31) Although despised because of their way of life, such righthearted ones received forgiveness by their faith in the Son of God. Repentant sinners were willing to abandon their lives of prostitution in order to receive the blessings of God’s Kingdom. Thereafter, they lived in harmony with God’s righteous standards. Today also, people of all kinds accept the truth from God’s Word and change their way of life.

Consider what happened to Maria, Carina, and Estela, mentioned in the first article. In addition to resisting pressure from her mother to continue as a prostitute, Maria had to put up a strong fight to stop abusing drugs. She explains: “I used drugs to suffocate my feelings of worthlessness for living a life of prostitution.” Maria tells how she was received by the Christian congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses: “I was impressed by the love shown by the members of the congregation. All​—children and adults—​treated me with respect. I observed that the married men were faithful to their wives. I am very happy to be accepted as their friend.”

When she was 17 years old, Carina was visited by Jehovah’s Witnesses. She began to study the Bible, although for a time she maintained her work as a prostitute. Gradually, she began to appreciate Bible truths. So she decided to move to a distant city, and there she became one of Jehovah’s Witnesses.

Estela, who early in life was involved in prostitution, revelries, and heavy drinking, became interested in the Bible. She concluded, however, that God would never forgive her. In time, though, she came to understand that Jehovah God does forgive repentant ones. Now a member of the Christian congregation, married, and raising three children, Estela says: “I am very happy and thankful to Jehovah because he took me out of the mud and has accepted me in his clean organization.”

These accounts support the Bible’s statement that God’s will is that “all sorts of men [and women] should be saved and come to an accurate knowledge of truth.”​—1 Timothy 2:4.

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Child prostitutes are often involved in drugs

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© Jan Banning/Panos Pictures, 1997

Child Exploitation Soon to End!

“IN THE Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the United Nations has proclaimed that childhood is entitled to special care and assistance,” states the preamble of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Regarding the importance of the family, it adds: “The child, for the full and harmonious development of his or her personality, should grow up in a family environment, in an atmosphere of happiness, love and understanding.” Yet, this ideal is far from being achieved.

Just talking about a better world for children is not enough. Moral degeneration is rampant, and many people consider the situation normal. Widespread depravity and greed cannot be controlled by law enforcement. Even parents, rather than showing love and protecting their children, often contribute to the climate of permissiveness. What hope, then, do we have for an end to child prostitution?

Although this corrupt system has failed to ensure that all children are given a loving home and a secure future, our Creator will soon eliminate every kind of perversity and promiscuity, including child prostitution. Soon, surprisingly for the world, Jehovah God will intervene in human affairs by means of his Kingdom. Corrupters and exploiters will not escape divine judgment. Only people who love their fellowmen will survive to live in God’s new world. “The upright are the ones that will reside in the earth, and the blameless are the ones that will be left over in it. As regards the wicked, they will be cut off from the very earth; and as for the treacherous, they will be torn away from it.”​—Proverbs 2:21, 22.

Imagine the relief when both children and adults will be able to live without degradation and sexual abuse! Even the emotional and physical harm caused by exploitation and violence will be things of the past. Former victims of sexual exploitation will be able to live without disturbing memories or aftereffects. “The former things will not be called to mind, neither will they come up into the heart.”​—Isaiah 65:17.

Then, no child will be born to suffer mistreatment or sexual abuse. Happiness, love, and understanding will be no mere dream. About the inhabitants of God’s new world, Isaiah 11:9 declares: “They will not do any harm or cause any ruin.”

Indeed, what a joy it will be when poverty, drug abuse, unhappy families, and moral badness are no more! Peace, righteousness, and security will reign. “My people must dwell in a peaceful abiding place and in residences of full confidence and in undisturbed resting-places.”​—Isaiah 32:18.

[Box/Pictures on page 9]

Parental Care Can Prevent Family Breakdown

● “My parents encouraged me to take advantage of my school years and to learn a profession. They did not try to impose their preferences on me, but they helped me to opt for schools that gave the course that I needed.”​—Tais.

● “When my sister and I went shopping, our mother went along. Besides helping us to be economical, she also helped us to avoid clothes that were extravagant or revealing.”​—Bianca.

● “When we went to parties, my parents always asked who would be present, what type of music there would be, and when the party would begin and end. At most parties we were all together as a family.”​—Priscila.

● “During my infancy and adolescence, my parents and I always had excellent communication. A schoolmate noticed that and said: ‘I envy the ease with which you can talk to your parents about anything. I do not even feel free to talk with my mother, and often what I want to know I try to learn from other people.’”​—Samara.

● “I was a happy adolescent. I did not see anything bad in people and was always laughing. I felt at ease with my friends and enjoyed talking about funny things with them. My parents understood that this was my personality, and they did not try to change my ways. But they kindly helped me to understand that I should be careful and proper in dealing with those of the opposite sex.”​—Tais.

● “As with most other youths, I became interested in the opposite sex. My father established a certain age when I could begin courtship. I was not discontent with this. Rather, I perceived that my parents were concerned about me and wanted to protect me from future harm.”​—Bianca.

● “I saw marriage as something good, especially because of the example of my parents. They always had a good relationship and maintained good communication. I remember that when I was dating, my mother gave me advice on how to act under certain circumstances and explained how this would affect my marriage.”​—Priscila.