Colombia’s family welfare institute reminded the country’s local and regional governments they must protect minors after minors were caught participated in a public wet t-shirt event.
The video was shot over the weekend in a water park managed by the Culture and Tourism Institute of San Gil, a town in the central-northeastern Santander province.
At least one of the minors was filmed baring her chest before a crowd of approximately 1,500. Multiple minors were reportedly cheered to take part.
Local authorities were not aware of the minors’ participation until after videos of the event had been shared online.
Culture and Tourism Institute director Lina Salazar
San Gil Mayor Ariel Fernando Rojas
According to the director of the Colombian Family Welfare Institute (ICBF), Karen Abudinen, the incident is not unique. Abuniden recalled another incident in Santander in which girls as young as nine took part in a thong competition.
Too often children are exposed to risk due to negligence by both parents and authorities, Abudinen said.
ICBF director Karen Abudinen
A 15-year-old girl who took part in the event suffered online abuse after her participation in the event made the headlines on national television, the local ombudsman said.
Ombudsman Farley Parra
Local police closed the venue at the water park that had organized the event and vowed legal action against parents and organizers.