BRIEFS: Crime

Plan targets sexual exploitation of minors

A new plan to prevent the commercial sexual exploitation of minors in Panama was launched yesterday by the Comisión Nacional para la Prevención de los Delitos de Explotación Sexual (Conapredes). The plan seeks to foster greater cooperation between governmental and nongovernmental agencies and international support in the campaign to keep children out of the sex industry.

Conapredes also encourages Panamanians to alert authorities when they suspect a child is being exploited.

Reports can be directed to the Centro de Recepción de Denuncias de la Dirección de Investigación Judicial (262-6979); the Policía Nacional (dial 104); or the Ministerio de Desarrollo Social (dial 147).

The commercial sexual exploitation of children is defined by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) as “children, both male and female, engaging in sexual activities for money, profit, or any other consideration due to coercion or influence by any adult, syndicate or group.”