Protecting Girls from Sexual Exploitation in Guatemala
Guatemala currently has no serious laws against the sexual exploitation of children. UNICEF is working to get legislation enacted and enforced that will finally offer protection to vulnerable children. The World Congress III Against the Sexual Exploitation of Children, 25-28 November 2008 in Brazil, aims to promote international cooperation for more effective action on sexual exploitation.
Shotlist:
Script
On the dark streets of Guatemala City, young girls sell their bodies for money. In bars, brothels and hotels across the city, about 2,000 children are being sexually exploited.
The girl we'll call Ana Maria was abandoned by her mother at the age of six. She lived for years on the street, struggling with drug and alcohol addiction. Out of a feeling of hopelessness, she took a job as a sex worker in a night club.
SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Ana Maria: "I met a man when I was eight years old. He worked at a nightclub and he took me with him and that's how it started. One night, a man hired me and took me out on a boat. When we got out to sea, another boat pulled up and three other men climbed on board. We're going to have a good time and if you resist, we're going to throw you overboard. All four men raped me. After the attack I was in great pain."
In the years following the attack, Ana Maria had a baby girl and she's expected to give birth to her second daughter any day. For the past five months, she's been under the care of Casa Alianza Guatemala, a non-profit organization that protects children in need, especially those who've suffered physical and psychological abuse. Ana Maria's situation is all too common in Guatemala, a country with no serious laws against the sexual exploitation of children.
SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Justo Solorzano, UNICEF child protection officer:
"UNICEF is working with the tourism industry, with academics, with the government and with civil society to build awareness about what constitutes sexual exploitation, where it can be found and what can be done to stop it."
Casa Alianza has shelter, psychological counselling, vocational training, as well as basic schooling. The goal is to re-integrate the children into mainstream society, preferably with their families whenever possible.
Ana Marie is hoping to reconnect with her family in Honduras. But it's been years since she's spoken with them. Her only certainty, she says, is wanting to give her daughters the loving environment she never had.
Shotlist
1. WS dimly-lit street corner at night. Two girls sit on the curb and are approached by two men on foot. 2. WS lighted sign for hotel on dimly-lit street 3. MS girl in white skirt sits on bench in dimly-lit room at night 4. WS a woman talks with an older girl on a railing outside at playground 5. CU face of older girl wearing white sweater talking with woman outside at playground 6. CU hands of girl wearing white sweater 7. CU girl plays with her fingers 8. SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Ana Maria:
"I met a man when I was eight years old. He worked at a nightclub and he took me with him and that's how it started. One night, a man hired me and took me out on a boat. When we got out to sea, another boat pulled up and three other men climbed on board. We're going to have a good time and if you resist, we're going to throw you overboard. All four men raped me. After the attack I was in great pain."
9. MS older girl sits at table arranging paper flowers. A small girl sits next to her at table. 10. CU red paper flower on table. 11. CU face of small girl at table. 12. WS exterior of yellow building that houses "Casa Alianza" 13. CU "Casa Alianza Guatemala" sign
14. MS colorful wall inside hallway of Casa Alianza
15. MS two girls sit on ground next to metal fence 16. Wide shot, children on makeshift swing set
17. Med shot, girl on swing
18. SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Justo Solorzano, UNICEF child protection officer:
"UNICEF is working with the tourism industry, with academics, with the government and with civil society to build awareness about what constitutes sexual exploitation, where it can be found and what can be done to stop it."
19. WS girls eating in cafeteria. 20. CU girl drinking glass of red juice. 21. MS girl sits in office talking with psychologist seated at desk 22. CU hands of girl seated at desk 23. CU face of psychologist seated at desk 24. MS girl takes pan of baked goods out of oven 25. WS room with three girls working at sewing machines. 26. CU spool of thread atop sewing machine 27. CU hands of girl working at sewing machine 28. SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Ana Maria:
"What I've learned here at Casa Alianza is how to take care of my children. I've learned how to interact with adults, and how to think positively about my future."
29. CU plant growing outside at playground
30. WS girl in white sweater walks down stone path with her baby girl walking beside her
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