Stand with us against the sexual exploitation of children at the World Cup 2014 in Brazil

www.itsapenalty.com

Please follow @its_apenalty on Twitter, like and share on Facebook/itsapenaltycampaign

The 2014 World Cup is taking place in one of the largest countries in the world – Brazil. The country is home to approximately 190 million people. Estimates vary, but there are innumerable street children. Street children are a particularly vulnerable group in Brazil as some of them have no home, no care, and no protection. While others, despite having a home, are sent to the streets to bring money home however they can.

The World Cup is expected to attract 600,000 foreign tourists to Brazil, and approximately 2 billion people will watch the games. Although it is set to be one of the greatest international sporting events in history, many fear an explosion in the sexual exploitation of minors

Awareness - Action - Change

The IT’S A PENALTY campaign aims to raise awareness about the issue of child exploitation in Brazil. This will be done through the combined action and support of many – including you! As a result of the campaign, we hope to see CHANGE take place in Brazil and the children on the streets kept safe.

The campaign will:

INFORM people of the issue of child sexual exploitation in Brazil by raising awareness

EDUCATE people on Section 72 of the Sexual Offences Act, which enforces the prosecution of sex offenders who commit sexual abuse/exploitation against children abroad

ENCOURAGE football supporters, tourists and Brazilian residents to say something, if they see something by dialing 100 from a Brazilian line. The call is completely free from any local or public telephone in Brazil and operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

EQUIP football supporters, tourists and residents of Brazil with the necessary tools to report a crime if needed

SPREAD AWARENESS to people travelling to Brazil by showing the IT’S A PENALTY awareness video on all BRITISH AIRWAYS flights travelling to Brazil during the World Cup

COMMUNICATE the campaign to The Football Association (FA) and to all football supporters and work alongside them to make a difference

Brazil - The Facts:

- Brazil is the fifth largest country in the world with a population of approximately 190 million people

- There is a significant difference between the rich and poor in Brazil

- The richest 1% of Brazil's population control 50% of its income

- The poorest 50% of Brazil’s society live on just 10% of the country's wealth

- The poorest 10% of Brazil’s society receive less than 1%

- Extreme poverty results in break-ups and increased violence amongst families

- Brazil has the highest number of people living with HIV and AIDS in the whole of South America

Street Children - The Facts

- There are thousands of children living and/or working on the streets of Brazil

- Street children are those not looked after by parents or any other guardian. They are deprived of any care or protection

- And also, those children who may live with members of their family, but are sent to the streets to work and bring money home

- Most os these children are aged between 5 to 18 years old

- They are particularly vulnerable and at risk of exploitation

- Pimps traffic girls on the streets as young as 11 years old for the purposes of sexual exploitation

- Nearly 52% of Brazilian municipalities have registered sexual exploitation of children and adolescents (Matriz Intersetorial 2011)

The Law- The Facts

- Paid for sex with a child seventeen and under in Brazil is illegal

- Extra-territorial legislation such as Section 72 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003 and Section 72 of the Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008, enforces the prosecution of British sex offenders who commit sexual abuse/ exploitation against children abroad

We urgently need contributions not just to enable It's a Penalty to carry on spreading this important message but also part of the funds will go towards the work being done by Happy Child on the ground - Thank You !