Integral Center of Reference on Adolescents — Cria

– Mobilize and organize Bahian society to confront the trafficking, abuse and sexual and commercial exploitation of children, adolescents and youth through art-education

– Training on confronting human trafficking in two cities in rural Bahia.

– Presentation of a dramatic play followed by a debate in schools and community centers.

– Mobilization events on important dates and at the Committee to Confront Human Trafficking for Sexual Exploitation.

– Participation of educators at state committee activities and meetings.

At-risk youth and children live in the communities of the historic center and on the outskirts of Salvador. There are socioeconomically vulnerable areas, where social exclusion and extreme poverty have specific characteristics and tend to be black, female, young or elderly. The scenario favors the abuse and exploitation of children, adolescents and youth. The reality emphasizes the need to deepen participative and integrating methodologies for intervention and artistic diffusion, instruments for social and cultural affirmation among the popular classes.

For twenty years, CRIA has been active in the implementation of processes focused on social transformation and awareness through art, the construction of self-esteem and community cohesion. The strategy makes the democratization of access to and creation of cultural goods possible, which empowers youth and generates qualified interlocutors on issues related to human rights.

State Committees to Confront Sexual Violence against Children and Adolescents and to Confront Human Trafficking; Brazil Sertão Network; the “Diga aí, povo do Pelô” Collective; Abong Bahia; Latin American Art and Social Transformation Network; Cultural and Literary Spots Network/Minc; Val Delsa Network of the Cárt (Florence, Italy); Community of Portuguese Language Countries; State Network of Cultural Training and Qualification.

The project resulted in the dissemination of information to young people about self-defense to minimize vulnerable situations and to counter human trafficking and sexual violence; training to mediate post-show discussions held by Cria on the theme of human trafficking; the strengthening of local links between civil society and government for confronting sexual violence against children and adolescents and human trafficking for sexual exploitation; the dissemination of information about the System of Granted Rights for Children and Adolescents and the methodology of Cria’s art-education; the approach to and integration of professionals linked to education, health, social care and guardianship council services of two municipalities in Bahia to operate in a coordinated manner for promoting the rights of children and adolescents; the media becoming open to publish the activity and put on the agenda the issues of confronting sexual violence against children and adolescents and human trafficking for sexual exploitation; the promotion of Cria’s art-education methodology as an instrument of social mobilization and training through presenting the play “Who Taught Me to Swim” in ten communities in Salvador and two cities in the state’s interior; the distribution of educational materials with information alluding to the fight against human trafficking and sexual violence against children and adolescents in the capital and interior of the state.