Irene Lôbo
Reporter - Agencia Brasil

Brasilia – According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes (UNODC), young women, between 18 and 21 years old, single, and with little education are the main victims of the international networks of human trafficking that operate in Brazil. The information integrates a study conducted by UNODC and the Brazilian Ministry of Justice, in March and April of 2005.

UNODC points out that the little education has an influence on the victims’ decision. "Recruiters" usually promise good jobs and a consequent life quality improvement. These first-level traffickers are usually men, between 31 and 41 years old, with good education level. Most of them are entrepreneurs who work at nightclubs, trade businesses, dating agencies, bars, tour agencies, and even beauty parlors.

The main destinations of these women are Spain, Italy, and Portugal. Victims are also sent to Switzerland, Israel, France, Japan, and the United States.

The United Nations office also realized that those responsible for the investigation of international trafficking of women often consider this crime less important than drug trafficking and weapon smuggling, when, in reality, they are all interconnected.

Translation: Andréa Alves