PROMOTERS OPERATE SECRETLY

Sex tourism is active in Panama

Sexual tourism is a reality in Panama, but behind this crime there are many silent victims who are too afraid to speak out

MARIJULIA PUJOL LLOYD

Their idea of beauty is enhanced place, by the so called “gentlemen’s clubs” and the availability of pretty, young women, who for the right price, are willing to do almost anything.

Sexual tourism is a crime in Panama. However not many reports are filed mainly because a lot of people do not know that it is a felony to start with, while others who are victims are too afraid to say anything.

The current Penal Code defines sexual tourism as the activity that promotes places and countries as ideal locations to have encounters with prostitutes or recruit persons, adults and minors to dedicate themselves to that profession.

The crime carries a maximum sentence of 10 years. If children younger that 14 years are involved the jail time doubles.

The prosecutor of the 15th Office, Hatziria Henriquez de Zanath said that since 2004 there have been only eight cases of sexual tourism, but that did not mean that that this sort of crime is not happening in Panama.

“People do not report sexual tourism, because they are not aware that it is a crime.”

“The beauty of Panama together with its cosmopolitan atmosphere has attracted foreigner entrepreneurs who come to the country, not only to visit places, but to have sexual relations with local prostitutes, that could be female or male depending of their preferences.

This a very complex crime that has many ramifications and is surrounded by secrecy,” said Zanath.

Recently an American, living in Bocas del Toro was found to be operating a site directed to pedophiles and highlighting the availability of children in Panama.

Secrecy was the watchword. Zanath concluded by saying that perhaps that is the reason why her office does not have many cases, because the perpetrators use technology.

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