Ecuador: U.N. study reveals high prevalence of physical, sexual, psychological violence against children

UN report on violence against children in Ecuador
One study has revealed a high prevalence of physical, sexual and psychological violence in homes, schools and other places

redaccionmedica.ec – machine translated – The United Nations (UN) Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC) has criticized the high prevalence of sexual, physical and psychological violence against children; and high rates of impunity in cases of sexual violence, which exists in Ecuador.

In this situation, he has asked the Ecuadorian authorities to adopt, as a matter of urgency, legislation that penalizes corporal punishment in all its forms , including in the home; as well as a national strategy for the elimination of sexual violence against girls at school and at home.

The Committee has said that it “is extremely concerned about the high prevalence of gender-based violence, especially sexual violence, harassment and abuse of girls in all areas.”

In this context, the Committee recalled that many of the sexual assaults in the form of rape end with the victim’s pregnancy and, in many cases, also in an unsafe abortion. He urged the Ecuadorian Government to ” consider decriminalizing abortion “.

Situation of minors in Ecuador

According to the UN, in September, the Committee carried out a review of the situation of minors in Ecuador and the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

In the conclusions of this evaluation, the Committee’s experts have shown their “extreme concern” over the extent of corporal punishment ; the high prevalence of different forms of violence (physical, sexual and psychological); and abuse against children of all ages at home and at school, public transportation and public spaces.

In this context, the Committee has criticized that this violence is carried out by parents, teachers, caregivers and classmates ; and that this practice is predominant mainly against children between 5 and 11 years of age; and in Afro-Ecuadorian and indigenous children.

Requests made by the UN

Because of these findings, the Committee’s experts have urged the Ecuadorian State to adopt legal norms that penalize corporal punishment in all circumstances including in the home; and to ensure ” girls’ access to sexual and reproductive health services, including therapeutic abortion .”

It has also called for the establishment of a strategy to implement awareness-raising campaigns against corporal punishment , especially in schools; special investigative units and possible prosecution of persons who abuse minors; control systems for teachers; and to accelerate legal proceedings against those accused of sexual abuse. Read Article