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Sexual tourism in Moldova
A shame to move away
Don Cesare Lodeserto had offered interview to Moldavian quotidian «Flux» about a said phenomenon of sexual tourism in Moldova, analyzing its forms, reasons, actions of fight against. We offer you the integral text of interview hereinafter.
The last few years, East European countries and, specially, former soviet republics were confronted with a whole series of negative phenomena, having devastating effects on economics in transition of this area. Among them are the trafficking in people and organs, illegal migration, prostitution and sexual tourism. The sexual tourism had determined the appearance of an incorrect concept, according to which the women from East European countries can be used as amusement and personal satisfaction object for men from developed countries. Citizens of Turkey, Italy, Germany and USA are coming in Moldova for few days, where, for insignificant sums, as compared with existing ones in their own countries, make use of sexual services of young girls from new democratic countries from the east of the old continent. About the scale of this phenomenon and about the methods of fight against the sexual tourism we discussed with president of Italian Foundation «Regina Pacis», Don Cesare Lodeserto, who have visited this week Chisinau.
What is the purpose of your visit in Republic of Moldova?
«I’m here in order to help destitute people. We are helping old men, homeless children, indigent families etc. Therewith, we want to encourage the development of the society by attracting Italian investors. We are trying to convince the Italian businessmen to invest into Moldavian economy. It that way it will be created new working places, bringing to decrease of citizen’s number wishing to go abroad.
The phenomenon of sexual tourism is also a reason for me of being here. I came to know better the situation on this purpose. We have objections to Italians, who are coming here with the purpose of sexual exploitation of young girls and we consider there is incorrect for them to permit themselves such behavior. On the one hand we are trying to fight against this phenomenon and to say NO! to the sexual tourism, and on the other hand – to protect the Moldavian women’s dignity, a very important thing for us».
How did you known about this phenomenon?
«For the first time we faced with in Italy. We got to know the mentality of Italians who were coming and are coming here to practice these things. It is quite enough to go in hotels or restaurants, even on streets in Chisinau, in order to see it existence. There are a lot of foreign men who came here to rest in company of Moldavian girls. Therefore we must fight against this phenomenon and protect the women’s dignity, because she deserves, first of all, a future here, in her own country. We discussed with many Italians and had found out, from them, about the existence of local or Italian tourism agencies which are organizing sojourns in poor countries like Moldova, countries of Latin America, Orient. Usually, foreign people who decide to make such kind of journey say they are going in vacation. The real purpose is to come here and have fun and sexual satisfaction. Such a concept, unfortunately, is most common between them, who are communicating through Internet. In future, Moldova will become more important country, because will be at borders of United Europe and Eastern Europe, and this fact obliges us to restore the dignity to the Moldavian nation».
What is the reason of sexual tourism appearance?
«I think the main reason is the poverty. Often the Moldavian women, being poor and living in very difficult conditions, have to accept the „services” of foreign citizens. As reason, it could be considered also the mentality of Italians. They made a faulty impression of women from Republic of Moldova and, if at their home, in Italy, they have a normal treatment, here they have worthless behavior».
How wide is the phenomenon of sexual tourism in Moldova?
«It is not quite on such a large-scale, but is increasing more and more. You only have to notice it taking a plane from Italy to Moldova. It is well clear that Italians, and not only, who arrive here have no business purposes, but the wish to have fun. The same situation is characteristic for Romania, Russia, Ukraine and Latin America countries».
Who also are coming in Moldova for sexual pleasure besides the Italians?
«I see many Turks, Greeks, Germans and I quite well understand that they are coming here having the same lewd purposes like Italians».
The tourism agencies, practicing such kind of business, can be punished?
«Italy has already a law that outlaws the sexual tourism. It was adopted because often are involved in this phenomenon the minors also. The Italian legislation condemns the sexual tourism and every Italian, who is coming here having such purposes, is punished harshly in Italy, even if the crime was committed on the territory of foreign country».
How can we fight against this phenomenon?
«The image of Moldova is not quite perfect abroad and, first of all, we should work on it. We should demonstrate that Moldova is a country with hard-working people, who deservers respect, a country with values and traditions. We should work in order to promote all over the Europe the positive image of a Moldavian woman, because it, for the last years, aren’t quite good. We know the personality of a Moldavian woman and we affirm she is worth of all respect, because sacrifice herself for the family, there, far away from home. On the other hand the women here shouldn’t accept such a behavior of men, coming here with such kind of purposes. It will be wonderful if women would refuse to be humiliated and disgraced, even if they are poor».
What was done in Italy to this purpose till now?
«First of all, it was adopted a law, what outlaws the sexual tourism and punishes the people practicing it. The law is harsher when minors are involved in sexual tourism. Are launched various campaign of education, change of mentality of Italians. They should understand that it isn’t correct. At the same time, should be changed the mentality of Moldavian woman too, so that to make her understand she is able to be of use to the society and could hold different responsible posts: from manager to politician. I’m sure every family from Republic of Moldova has someone abroad – or mother, or grandmother, or sister etc. Thanks to their work there, in Moldova are forthcoming a lot of money, helping the families to survive. These women make big sacrifices for their own families and working there does not mean to attribute them a bad image. Even if such image exists, it could not be attributed to all Moldavian women».
What did you do against the sexual tourism in Republic of Moldova?
«We had launched a campaign of protection of Moldavian woman’s dignity and even exists a slogan “The dignity is in your hands, keep it”. We will continue this campaign and, like we did till now, will fight so that the young ladies from Moldova to keep their dignity. We will fight against every revealed case and when, especially, Italian citizens will be involved in».
Thank you.
(Interview made by Lilia Zaharia, «FLUX», Nr. 37, 2005-10-14· 202)
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