September marks the month against the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Boys, Girls, and Adolescents in Medellín. Over the past four years, more than 39,000 minors have had their rights restored and have been affected by the institutional response.
The neighborhoods reporting the highest number of cases are Poblado (Comuna 14), La Candelaria (Comuna 10), and San Javier (Comuna 13). Isabel Cristina Cadavid, Medellín’s Secretary of Inclusion, expressed concern over the normalization of this crime in families historically victimized by the same situation. While children between the ages of 9 and 16 are the primary victims, girls bear the brunt of the exploitation. Child pornography remains a significant issue as well.
The commercialization of child exploitation is also driven by tourism, emphasizing the need for prevention strategies aimed at foreign visitors. City councilwoman Nataly Vélez stated that this issue, which has unfortunately become normalized, has a high degree of underreporting. Efforts are being made by the local administration and the city council to address and eradicate this plight.
On September 23, Medellín’s Parque Lleras will host an event to raise awareness among locals and tourists about the significance of eliminating this crime.