A homeless Romanian woman has been apprehended in Sicily for forcing her 13-year-old daughter into prostitution, of which she would obtain money, cigarettes, drinks, the use of a shower or a place to sleep in return.
Italian police in a statement said they also arrested four men who raped the teenager, including a 90-year-old.
“They will all face rape charges as the age of consent in Italy is 14,’’ police said.
It was gathered that the events took place in the south-eastern province of Ragusa, where the girl worked illegitimately in greenhouse plantations.
Officers found the reported sex crimes while probing cases of rural labour exploitation.
According to police, she used to having sex with fellow land workers from Italy, Romania or North Africa, either on the fields or in abandoned buildings.
Older men are thereby seen to abuse her in return for hospitality for her and her mother.
The police added that, “Instead of protecting her daughter, the mother would exploit her receiving in return sums of money or other benefits such as wine, beer, cigarettes, the use of a shower or a home where to sleep”.