The police of Trieste arrested a fourth man in the investigation on a 13-year-old who offered sexual favours in exchange of gifts, especially top-up cards for her mobile phone. The man arrested, a 54-year-old, is the teenager’s neighbour. The girl has been transferred to a protected structure to follow a rehabilitation programme. The incident started a couple of months ago when some citizens reported to the police a strange situation in a building in town. The girl’s parents, who were very busy with work, left their daughter with their neighbours, who introduced the teenager to prostitution.

Translated by Chiara Nunnari from John Milton Institute