Raising Awareness About Sex Tourism In Mexico
November 1, 2002 ·
An estimated 16,000 child prostitutes are found in Mexican tourist destinations and border cities. In response, in September, a vigil was held on the Mexico-U.S. border in Nogales, Arizona, organized by Arizonans for the Protection of Children, a member group of the U.S. Campaign Against the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children. ECPAT-USA co-sponsored the event and provided posters and brochures. Next year we hope there will be border vigils at all border crossings between the U.S. and Mexico. For more information, contact Janet Olson, Arizonans for the protection of Children, 623/925-0131, or visit website at www.protectchild.org/pasec-mexico.htm.
ECPAT-USA and Arizonans for the Protection of Children have asked the U.S. government to post signs along the U.S. – Mexico border informing travelers about U.S. laws against the commercial sexual exploitation of children. The law makes it a crime, punishable in the United States by up to ten years in prison, for traveling abroad to have sex with a child. The U.S. House of representatives recently passed legislation strengthening the law. We are seeking similar legislation in the Senate.
