Ecuador has high levels of sexual violence in schools, according to Human Rights Watch

At least 4.221 students suffered sexual violence linked to the public and private educational system in Ecuador.

Human Rights Watch, in a report, denounced that in Ecuador more than 4 thousand children and adolescents have suffered sexual violence at school since 2014.

“Ecuador has failed to protect many children and adolescents from sexual violence at school, which impacts their entire lives, including their right to education. The education and justice systems in Ecuador leave many children and adolescents unprotected, exposed to horrific abuse, stigmatized for reporting abuse, and at low risk of a repeat trauma, “said Elin Martínez, HRW researcher and author of the report , it’s a statement.

According to the NGO, at least 4.221 students suffered linked sexual violence at school between 2014 and May 2020, although the organization warns that there could be much more, since these cases are often not reported.

After government data analyzed by HRW, the organization interviewed 83 people, including several victims and their families, and found that teachers, school personnel, cleaners or school bus drivers have committed sexual crimes against minors, including children with disabilities, in public and private schools.

Ecuador seeks to face the problem and accelerate the treatment of cases in the courts, but the policies and protocols of attention are not always followed by many schools, the prosecution or the judicial system, according to the HRW report.