18th May: Day of Protest against Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children and Adolescents

Lauren and our troupe of girls. 

The 18th May is a National Day in Protest against the Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children and Adolescents in Brazil.  So we Meninadança Pink House girls and staff headed to Medina's central square to present dance, theatre and our animation on the theme of Human Rights alongside other youth groups, NGO's and speakers. 

It was exciting to get involved with the face painting before the show and at the mid-way rapid costume change. :-)

The roots of this day of protest lie in the tragic story of a Brazilian girl kidnapped on the 18th May in 1973.  Araceli Cabrera Sanches was only 8 years old when she was drugged, beaten, raped and killed by a family from Espirito Santo.  Many people knew what happened but no one spoke out, their silence preventing the perpetrators from being brought to justice.  The outrage this case provoked in Brazil led to the founding of this national day of protest, which is used as a day to bring awareness to Brazilians and to encourage people to speak out against the crimes they witness. 

What worries me most is not the cry of the bad but the silence of the good.  Sexual abuse is a crime. / 

If somebody does not respect the body of a child who are they going to respect?  / My body is sacred. / Denounce.

Indeed the key focus of the night of the 18th in Medina's town square was to emphasise that these crimes are the concern of all society and that every individual has the responsibility to speak out when they witness abuse and exploitation of children.  The square was filled with posters and banners printed with the number to call to denounce and we were all wearing these t-shirts with the same on the back.

The speakers were informative and the presentations from our girls and the kids of the other groups were powerful.  A tough theme.  I truly hope that the efforts of organisations like Meninadança and the strength of individuals like Rita, our wonderful director here at the Pink House, begin to see some significant changes for Brazil's children.

If you are able, it would be hugely appreciated by the Pink House's wonderful girls if you follow this link to set up a regular donation in support of Meninadança.

Big love

:-)

p.s. a huge thanks to our wonderful long-term volunteer here, Rachel Alvarez, for permission to use all of these photographs for this blog.