OAS – In the framework of the Day of Children and Adolescents of the Americas, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) expresses its concern about the persistence of sexual violence against children and adolescents in the educational sphere in the region. In this regard, it calls on States to address the structural causes that generate this form of violence, through the adoption of prevention measures and their eradication in educational environments, with a gender perspective.
The IACHR notes with concern the persistence of sexual violence against children and adolescents in the educational systems of the Americas; according to UNICEF data, 14% of this population has suffered some form of sexual violence, highlighting schools as one of the frequent scenarios of these events. Through its monitoring work, the IACHR received information indicating that between 2014 and 2022 in Ecuador more than 3,900 cases of sexual violence in schools and colleges were reported. Likewise, according to official data, from the beginning of the year until May 31, the Secretariat of Education of Bogota (Colombia) received 2,667 alerts on alleged cases of sexual violence against girls and boys, occurring in different contexts (home, educational environment, social networks, community, etc.). In Paraguay, 150 cases were registered in the first four months of 2022. Likewise, in Mexico, the Office of the Ombudsman for Children’s Rights (ODI) reported in its 2021 report that in 21 educational institutions nationwide there were patterns of violence and cases of sexual exploitation.
At the same time, the Inter-American Commission takes note of the efforts undertaken by the States to respond to this serious problem. It recognizes the creation of the Inter-institutional Roundtable to Eradicate Sexual Violence in the Classroom in Ecuador, as well as the establishment of a specialized, multidisciplinary team in Colombia to investigate and follow up on these cases. Similarly, Mexico adopted “Guidelines for the prevention, detection and action in cases of child sexual abuse, bullying and mistreatment in basic education schools”, as well as the Protocol for the Prevention of Sexual Abuse of Children and Adolescents; and Paraguay adopted the Guide for institutional intervention in cases of violation of sexual and reproductive rights.
Full note on the OAS website: Day of Children and Adolescents of the Americas: IACHR urges States to ensure education free of sexual violence (oas.org)