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Sorry I’m not sure if that is the right spelling or not. Has anyone ever heard of this agency, I was told they are like Child Protective Services. Has anyone had any experience with them? Do you know what happens to the kids if they are removed from the home? I know people are more lax with their kids here, and that isn’t the issue. I believe there is a family who has decided to prostitute their children out instead of working. Okay, I know this is what is going on, And I am heartbroken as a mother. Literally nobody in the family works except when the young teenage girls go to the bars. I am most worried for the 3 year old girl I think they are grooming for this lifestyle. Hey, if a woman chooses this as a lifestyle later that’s her choice, but children…?
What would you do?
People may be “lax with their kids here” but the Ticos are more family focused than any other country I have lived in …
PANI is El Patronato Nacional de la Infancia and you can find PANI at
You can file a denuncia (report/complaint) anonymously online at
If I were you I would be very careful how this is handled, please make sure that you are reporting facts rather than opinions and I would check the site online to try and establish exactly what they are looking for and then I would visit an internet cafe (NOT your home computer) and file the complaint.
Scott Oliver – Founder
WeLoveCostaRica.comHi Fortunecookie,
Unfortunately, this has been known to happen, especially in the more remote regions of the country, but it’s NOT common practice there. Like Scott said, Costa Rican families are very close knit and even the extended family members are part of each other’s everyday lives. Please make sure this is not a young teenage girl being rebellious while her parents make a living doing something you’re not privy to because this would only add to their heartache. If you’re sure she’s being prostituted, then please do denounce it because no little girl ever dreams of becoming a prostitute and the younger sister is at risk. If the girl you speak of is working the streets, then this young girl has probably already been sexually abused within the home so the younger sister may already be a victim, even if she’s too young to be sent “out.” It’s all very disturbing and a reality a few foreigners come looking for in CR. Although prostitution is legal in CR, childhood prostitution is NOT legal and NEITHER is pimping someone out…Err on the side of the children if you truly think they’re victims and don’t discuss it with your neighbors, contact PANI & the police directly…
Thank you both for your replies. I actually have heard rumors about everything you mention Rebaragon. I am worried about what happens to the girls after though. I don’t think another family member seems to be a good choice, they all seem to be involved or benefitting. Let’s just say I have seen a range of disturbing things, that has brought me to this point. I never imagined interfering into another family’s life in such a dramatic fashion. And, of course I do fear retaliation…
I didn’t mean to scare you–although retaliation is possible, it’s really not likely. My concern about speaking with neighbors is more that this will cause the family to move and leave the girls unprotected. Also because you might be surprised how some people rationalize this type of thing. During one of my research trips into the Corcovado area, I stopped near Palmar Sur to interview some locals about the local gold miners that had lived within Corcovado National Park. This area is so remote that the week I was there, they were getting some basic utilities installed. Somehow, a school rep ended up telling me about a 9 yr old little girl that had no shame and prostituted herself to German tourists that came into town before heading to the Park. I thought I was going to be sick, my daughter was only 2 years younger at the time and I couldn’t believe how this woman was reasoning this scenario out. Why couldn’t she grasp that the little was being prostituted by her family was beyond me. As much as I tried, she would not tell me the name nor where the family lived and I couldn’t help this little girl, this will haunt me as long as I live…Take heart, you have an opportunity to help them.
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