Through tomorrow, July 20, Brazil’s state and municipal coordinators of the Sentinel Program are meeting in the capital city of BrasÀlia to discuss measures to combat violence and sex abuse committed against children and adolescents.
The program, coordinated by the Ministry of Social Development and Hunger Alleviation, is present in 314 Brazilian municipalities in 26 states. It proposes the development of measures designed to look after children, adolescents, and the families involved in sexual violence.
According to the Ministry’s national coordinator of the Sentinel Program, Maura Luciani Conceição, expansion of the program should be discussed at the meeting.
The program, which was created in 2001, provides educational guidance, permanent multiprofessional accompaniment, psychosocial and legal support, and shelter for 24 hours, if necessary.
Between 2004 and July, 2005, the Sentinel Program received US$ 11.5 million (27.5 million reais) and provided assistance to 28,902 children and adolescents.
It should receive another US$ 3.4 million (8 million reais), beginning in August. These resources will make it possible to extend the project to another 150 municipalities.
ABr – www.radiobras.gov.br