Folha do Oeste / Special / Campaign warns against sexual violence against children on the Internet
Child pornography, pedophilia, sexual harassment and many other crimes against children and adolescents are committed online in Brazil. In order to warn parents and guardians about the serious dangers to which children are exposed daily on the world wide web, the Federal Government has started distributing leaflets alluding to the campaign ‘Fight against human rights violations: Prevention of sexual violence against children and adolescents’. on the Internet’.
With the motto Pay attention to the signs. Listen. Welcome. Report, informative materials will be broadcast during the month of October on TV channels, in cinemas across the country and on the social networks of the Ministry of Women, Family and Human Rights (MMFDH).
“Criminals hide behind computer screens and cell phones in order to reach our children and commit various types of violence against them, including sexual violence. “Parents must know how to protect their children from the many dangers that exist on the Internet,” said MMFDH head Cristiane Britto. “An example is crucial in the teaching and learning process in order to show what to access, what is safe to see online and even when to use it,” directed the minister.
According to the SaferNet association, in partnership with the Federal Public Ministry (MPF), around 366 cybercrimes are reported every day in Brazil, and the biggest victims are children and adolescents. In 2018, the country registered 133,732 reports of cybercrime, with the main crime being child pornography, with 60,002 reports.
“Virtual crimes can cause several adverse effects on a family. Therefore, it is important that parents monitor what their children access on the Internet and create a family environment of trust and support”, noted the national secretary for the rights of children and adolescents of the MMFDH, Fernanda Monteiro.
combat operations
In 2019, Brazil signed an international agreement with the Global Alliance “WePROTECT” and joined the fight against pedophilia and other forms of abuse of children and adolescents on the Internet. The pledge was signed during the Global Summit held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
In 2022, the country became part of a select group of nations in the global fight against online sexual crimes against children and adolescents. In this regard, Brazil has officially joined a task force that will work together with Interpol and technology companies to identify potential risks and identify criminal networks operating in the production and distribution of child pornography in a virtual environment.
Excessive use of networks
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), living with pain caused by poor posture when using mobile devices is already a reality for 37% of the Brazilian population. In children and adolescents, screen abuse causes damage that goes beyond physical health – studies show that one in four adolescents in Brazil is addicted to the Internet. According to the Brazilian Society of Pediatrics, the web can cause several psychological problems, including suicidal thoughts and self-harm.
reconnect
Raising awareness and preventing families from excessive use of technology, enabling them to start using this tool in an intelligent way is the goal of the Reconnecte program.
With a series of projects in different areas, Reconecte aims to promote actions that range from education in various aspects of human dignity, to initiatives aimed at technological re-education, strengthening real social relationships, especially family ones, enabling the intelligent use of technological means.
Know app
Available on Android and IOS systems, application To know – to know, learn and protect – is a tool that aims to facilitate communication and help-seeking of children and adolescents in situations of violence. In a playful and didactic language, adapted to each age group, it is possible to report violations of the rights of this audience through the application, which is directly connected to Dial 100, the State Ombudsperson for Human Rights (ONDH).
Download the application on the iOS system
Download the application to the Android system
Other materials available
On the website of the Observatório Nacional da Família (ONF), a research unit that is part of the structure of the National Secretariat for the Family of the Ministry of Women, Family and Human Rights (SNF/MMFDH), it is possible to find various materials on the topic “Education and the use of technology” such as booklets, manuals and articles, among other formats.
report it
Dial 100, or Dial Human Rights, linked to the Ministry of Women, Family and Human Rights, also receives reports of violence against children and adolescents every day, 24 hours a day, including weekends and holidays.
Complaints are anonymous and can be submitted from all over Brazil by dialing 100 directly and toll-free, Whatsapp: (61) 99656-5008 or Human Rights Brazil app, where citizens with disabilities find accessibility resources to apply.
