WILLEMSTAD – Curaçao's opposition party PAR is calling on the government to address the sexual needs of people with disabilities living in residential care institutions, warning that the closure of Campo Alegre brothel has left some facilities struggling to manage a sensitive aspect of their residents' well-being.
In a statement dated October 19, Ana Maria Pauletta, a staff member of PAR's parliamentary faction, urged the Ministry of Health, Environment and Nature (GMN) to work with healthcare institutions and professionals to develop a lasting solution.
Pauletta argues that sexuality remains a taboo subject within institutional care, despite being a normal aspect of human life that does not disappear when someone has a disability.
She believes the issue deserves serious attention as part of efforts to promote dignity, inclusion and comprehensive care for people with disabilities.
Campo Alegre Closure Leaves Gap in Institutional Care
According to the PAR statement, some residential care institutions previously arranged weekly visits to Campo Alegre for residents who expressed a need for sexual contact.
The practice reportedly continued for years and was regarded by those institutions as a way of addressing residents' sexual needs.
However, following the closure of Campo Alegre, these arrangements were no longer available.
Pauletta says the disappearance of this option has created difficulties for some care institutions, which have not found suitable alternatives.
The statement does not identify the institutions involved or indicate how many residents previously participated in such arrangements.
Nevertheless, PAR believes the issue requires attention because the needs of institutionalized residents have not disappeared.
Concerns About Harassment, Frustration and Aggression
Pauletta reports that discussions with healthcare professionals have revealed concerns about an increase in incidents of harassment between residents.
According to the statement, some institutions have adjusted their procedures to prevent residents from harming one another.
These measures reportedly include locking bedroom doors at night in certain facilities.
Healthcare professionals have also observed increased frustration and aggression among some residents, Pauletta says.
However, she explicitly cautions against assuming that all these incidents are directly related to unmet sexual needs.
She argues that the circumstances must be investigated before conclusions are drawn about their causes.
Some institutions have reportedly introduced temporary measures to manage the situation, but Pauletta believes these approaches largely focus on controlling or suppressing expressions of sexual needs rather than addressing the underlying concerns.
She considers this neither healthy nor sustainable for residents or healthcare workers.
Proposal for Professional Sexual Assistance
PAR is calling for an investigation into the needs of people with disabilities living in residential care institutions and the possibility of providing professional sexual assistance.
Pauletta emphasizes that any such arrangement would have to operate within a clear legal, ethical and regulatory framework.
The proposal is not presented as an immediate authorization for sexual services. Instead, it calls for the government and relevant professionals to examine whether a responsible system could be developed.
Central to that examination would be the ability of individual residents to provide informed consent.
Pauletta stresses that any solution must consider each person's capacity to consent, protection against abuse and the safety of everyone involved.
These safeguards are particularly important in residential care settings, where residents may have different levels of independence and support needs.
The statement does not propose a specific service provider, financing mechanism or legislative framework.
Government Urged to Act Quickly
Pauletta is urging the Ministry of GMN, as the ministry responsible for the sector, to initiate discussions with care institutions and healthcare professionals.
She wants the government to investigate the existing needs and identify a solution that can be implemented without unnecessary delay.
The PAR representative argues that sexual well-being should not be excluded from discussions about comprehensive healthcare simply because the subject is uncomfortable.
In her view, respecting the dignity of people with disabilities requires acknowledging their individual needs while ensuring appropriate protection and professional oversight.
She also emphasizes that the interests of healthcare workers must be considered when developing any policy.
The proposal raises broader questions about how Curaçao's residential care institutions address sexuality, personal autonomy, consent and the prevention of abuse.
It also highlights the need to distinguish between residents' legitimate personal needs and situations involving harassment or behavior that places others at risk.
The PAR statement does not provide independently verified figures on harassment incidents or establish a causal connection between the closure of Campo Alegre and reported behavioral changes.
Nevertheless, Pauletta believes the concerns raised by healthcare professionals justify a formal investigation.
She concludes that the sensitivity of the subject should not prevent policymakers from addressing it.
For PAR, the central issue is whether Curaçao can develop a regulated and ethically responsible approach that respects the rights, dignity and safety of people with disabilities living in institutional care.