Information about Child Sex trade in Costa Rica

[NoelsCat]

I sadly post these links for anyone who is interested.

 

http://www.latinamericanstudies.org/costarica/prostitution.htm

http://www.againstsexualexploitation.org/news/en_US/0/2005/06/28/09/

http://www.libertadlatina.org/Lat_SORDID_CHILD_SEX_TRADE_BOOMS_IN_COSTA_RICA_04-29-2000.HTM

[Desertbelle]

Though these articles deal with a truly horrendous subject, I can't see that that have anything to do with cruising.

[NoelsCat]

Well, the subject was brought up on the RCCI post as a response to Grenada outlawing gay cruisers PDA in public.

 

It is relevant because cruisers make up part of the tourism in Port Limon -- a common western Caribbean port.

[crusinmama06]

Though these articles deal with a truly horrendous subject, I can't see that that have anything to do with cruising.

 

Well it's sort of my fault that this is being brought here. The topic of Grenada being anti-gay came up on the RCCL board and someone mentioned Limon as having a huge child sex trade. So I said that this should be posted on the Family Board.

 

I, for one, will not spend my dollars in a country that allows child prostitution to run rampant. :(

 

And frankly I would have had NO idea if someone wouldn't have mentioned it at the RCCL board. So I am glad that Noel Cat brought it here. I will make sure than no cruise I sail on goes to Limon, Costa Rica.

[Karysa]

Awful. I read an article today at work regarding a local woman, living in Honduras, helping out with the unfortunate people that live in the slums. Our secretary knows her and she is collecting money so the woman can purchase playpens so the babies will not get bitten by the rats when they sleep. Can not say no to that. Anyway, in the article she mentioned almost the exact same things going on when the cruise ships stop in Rottan. How can this go on. It is hard to police the world but something needs to be done. I have read lately about the crackdown of this gastly behaviour in Cambodia recently. They said Interpoll arrested these sexual deviants. What about sending somesort of under cover agents there?

Karysa

[NoelsCat]

We were there in 2002 --- and saw first hand. It's very sad.

 

Costa Rica is very beautiful,however.

 

Just very poor.

 

It just makes me wonder about a world where countries can sucessfully stop decent gay couples from tourism in their country and others can't keep their children from being raped for money.

[askfrog]

Human trafficking is the number 1 money maker in the world, even more than drugs. Mostly girls ages 9 - 14. So it's not just a problem in Costa Rica it's all over the world and it's awful. We know people who are missionary's in Moldova and they save woman who have been sold into it and help them to try and heal from it. very very sad that more is not being done to stop it.

[rebeccalouise]

Children are exploited wherever there is dire poverty.

 

This is why I tend to holiday in places like Alaska and Western Europe. I know people are fond of the Caribbean but the poverty has always depressed me. I know that sounds selfish but who wants to be depressed on vacation. We see enough horror on the news.

[6rugrats]

I agree that this thread really does not belong in this forum. I understand why at least one poster here is very interested in this topic and concerned, but sad as it is, it should go.

[jeanlyon]

I am confused about the inference that gay people are being mentioned on this thread. Gays, like heterosexuals, don't necessarily interefere with children? I have been to Costa Rica, found it a beautiful country with wonderful people. They gave up their army in 1949 and spent the money on education and hospitals. Every country has child prostitution, even ours!!

[whale-watcher]

Well it's sort of my fault that this is being brought here. The topic of Grenada being anti-gay came up on the RCCL board and someone mentioned Limon as having a huge child sex trade. So I said that this should be posted on the Family Board.

 

I, for one, will not spend my dollars in a country that allows child prostitution to run rampant. :(

 

And frankly I would have had NO idea if someone wouldn't have mentioned it at the RCCL board. So I am glad that Noel Cat brought it here. I will make sure than no cruise I sail on goes to Limon, Costa Rica.

How sad to read about this...I had no idea! :( Makes me wonder how many of the other destitute areas we visit have the same problem (only not as well documented).

 

I agree that sharing this sad information is the best way to put the brakes on this problem; money talks, and negative publicity with potential loss of tourism dollars might be the incentive the government needs to put a stop to this abomination!

[NoelsCat]

I am confused about the inference that gay people are being mentioned on this thread. Gays, like heterosexuals, don't necessarily interefere with children? I have been to Costa Rica, found it a beautiful country with wonderful people. They gave up their army in 1949 and spent the money on education and hospitals. Every country has child prostitution, even ours!!

 

To be very clear, GAY PEOPLE HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH CHILD ABUSERS...

 

As Cruisin mama explained earlier, there was a thread on the RCI board that exposed some of the dangers/prejudices towards gays and lesbians in Grenada and Jamaica. A poster responded that people should also be concerned about Costa Rica's child sex industry. A response was posted that the Family Board would be interested in this information. I simply posted the information in response to that request.

 

Whatever anyone choses to do with that information is up to them. But, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE do not think that I in any way confuse being homosexual with being a child abuser. I apologize if that wasn't clear.

[Zeta3]

Child exploitation unfortunately is a problem everywhere. Atlanta also has a large child prostitution problem.