The Instituto Moinho Cultural Sul-Americano (Moinho Cultural South American Institute) is holding, next Friday (26), a mock trial to discuss situations of sexual abuse and violence. The activity is one of those held during Maio Laranja (Orange May) and will be held in partnership with CAIJ-CRIPAM.

The mock trial will involve the participation of 110 children and adolescents. The case to be judged by the jury depicts the situation experienced by hundreds of children and adolescents in the country today: grooming and sexual abuse through social media.

This is the case of a 34-year-old man who poses as a 15-year-old teenager and uses an online game to groom teenagers, run scams and, of course, take advantage of the situation. A 14-year-old teenager is the victim and even gives out his social media contact to the man, who he thought was a friend.

Through social media, the man starts asking the teenager to send intimate photos and videos. The teenager, at first, does send them, but later decides to stop and is then blackmailed by the man.

The mock trial will involve the participation of 110 children and adolescents. Photo: Moinho Cultural Archive / mock trial previously held at the institution

The social worker at Moinho Cultural, Jessyka Karolaine, explains that the institution works preventively with the participants and that providing information is the best way to prevent similar cases among children and adolescents.

“Within the thematic group, which is run by the Núcleo Social (Social Center), we work on various social and current issues. The mock trial aims to encourage reflection through dialogue, fostering respect for different opinions”, she explains.

Jessyka also explains that the case has been studied by the participants and that the theme was suggested by themselves. “They created it themselves, based on what they are currently seeing in society, this story that will be analyzed in the trial. They looked into the laws and the Estatuto da Criança e do Adolescente (Statute of the Child and Adolescent) for their rights and duties. Knowledge is essential to prevent any kind of violence, including abuse and sexual exploitation”, concludes the social worker.