Discussing the Importance of Historical Sociology for Public Policy

Child sexual exploitation has been a topic of international concern for at least a century. In the 1920s, it appeared as the “white slave trade” in some agreements established by the League of Nations. But it was only in the 1980s and 1990s that the issue resurfaced in a different and stronger light. Driven by international agreements, such as the Optional Protocol on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution and Child Pornography, and also by international social movements, such as ECPAT International, it became a major concern in many countries around the world.

The presentation aims to highlight the similarities and differences in the development of legislation and public policies directed at minors involved in sexual exploitation in two different countries - Brazil and Canada. It is interesting to note the central place occupied by the media and the spectacularization of crimes in this process, leading to important differences in the laws and public policies adopted by each country. Based on these processes, the final objective of the presentation is to discuss the importance of historical sociology for understanding and possibly evaluating current public policies.