TRÁFICO INFANTIL E VULNERABILIDADE SOCIAL: ANÁLISE DE DIREITOS HUMANOS COM ESTUDO DE CASO NAS COMUNIDADES RIBEIRINHAS DA ILHA DE MARAJÓ.

Abstract

This undergraduate thesis examines the role of social vulnerability in Brazilian child trafficking, with the central objective of demonstrating how conditions of social exclusion and state negligence act as the structural and continuous foundation for the perpetuation of this crime. The research establishes that social vulnerability is not merely a risk factor but a condition historically produced by the systematic absence of public policies in neglected territories, where poverty and unemployment are crucial factors driving recruitment. Vulnerability is defined as the articulation between risk exposure, lack of protection, and difficulty accessing citizenship rights, transforming children (individuals under twelve years of age) into priority targets, as they are manipulated and lack defense mechanisms. The study addresses the concept of child trafficking and its various forms, such as sexual exploitation, forced labor, and illegal adoption, noting the magnitude of the problem by observing that children represent approximately one-third of global victims, according to UNODC data. In the legal sphere, the research analyzes both national legislation (including the criminal type defined in Article 149-A of the Penal Code by Law 13.344/2016) and international instruments (such as the Palermo Protocol). It highlights the legal recognition of the child’s legal insufficiency: for victims under 18, proof of coercion, fraud, or threat is not necessary to characterize the crime, as the abuse of a position of vulnerability is, in itself, a means of coercion. The study points to the disparity between the robust legal framework and institutional effectiveness, which is often marked by a lack of intersectorality and a focus on repression to the detriment of prevention and assistance. Trafficking is most common in areas where the government is least present (North and Northeast, borders, and highways). This is made worse by local factors like sex tourism and unassisted migrations. Furthermore, the social perception of the problem is silenced and intersected by criteria of class, race, and gender, leading to the naturalization of exploitation. It is concluded that child trafficking is an extreme manifestation of structural violence and not an isolated phenomenon. The thesis discusses the interconnection between social and economic inequalities and the logic of trafficking and proposes that counter-trafficking efforts must be articulated with actions for prevention, promotion of citizenship, and social inclusion, presenting concrete social intervention proposals and including a field research section with a real-life situation to provide a direct and personal perspective on the impact of vulnerability and trafficking.