(VEE) ITALY'S BRAZILIAN EMBASSY JOINS #100FORCHILDREN CAMPAIGN

(VELINO) Roma, 4 Aug - A campaign against child exploitation during the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro launched by the ECPAT Italia Onlus organisation is being strongly supported by the Italian Embassy in Brasilia. Studies have shown that large global events lead to marked increases in sexual and commercial exploitation of minors. The Italian Embassy is backing the campaign to underline the importance of appropriate behaviour by those who travel to Brazil for the Olympics. The Italian Ambassador to Brazil, Antonio Bernardini, said: "A reminder to this effect has already been given with the publishing of a post last Friday on the 'Focus' notice board for Rio 2016. Not only does it inform travellers on the severity of Brazil's legislation, but it also responds to the moral obligation towards the victims of this deplorable practice." On its webpage for the campaign, ECPAT Italia Onlus reminds Italian tourists that Italian law no. 269/98 punishes child sexual abuse even when committed abroad. Sexual violence against minors can be reported in Brazil by dialling "100". ECPAT Italian Onlus launched the #100forChildren campaign to inform Italians visiting Rio for the games. Reporting suspicious behaviour might save potential victims and break a dangerous and appalling vicious cycle. vel
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