Peru has seen rising cases of gender-based violence: Since 2019, the Ministry of Women registered 16,632 cases of sexual crimes nationwide, 43% of which were rape cases.
Written by Devi Cerenil, Rosa México.
A group of five men have been accused of gang raping a 21-year-old woman on October 18th in Limu, Peru. The woman showed clear signs of rape, which was corroborated by her medical examination. However so far only one of the assailants has been arrested and tried. In October, two more rape cases occurred: one by a group of three men to a 49-year-old woman and another to a 54-year-old woman who had to undergo three surgeries due to the physical damage they caused her.
In the first case, the lawyer of one of the aggressors stated “There is something else that should be observed and that will be stated in the proceedings that have to be carried out (…) The lady is… eventually, let's say, she liked the social life. I couldn't tell you more.” Since the lawyer made this statement, social media has begun using the hashtag #AMiMeGustaLaVidaSocial (I like social life). More than 11 thousand people on Twitter have posted this hashtag to show solidarity with the victim and demanding that justice be done.
Peru has had many cases of gender-based violence. Since 2019, the Ministry of Women registered 16,632 cases of sexual crimes nationwide, 43% of which were rape cases. In July of this year, Peru appeared before the Inter-American Court of Human Rights for failing to provide comprehensive health care to another victim of gang rape.
These cases are outrageous and only show us the incompetence of the authorities to change this violent system that ignores victims. It is degrading that it is the people closest to women who exert violence against us. But as long as patriarchy exists and the cycle of macho culture continues, we will keep having to face re-victimization, because violence evolves and manifests itself in physical, verbal, and emotional violence up to femicide.
We will not stand idly by after the attacks, the progress we have made is not enough. Despite the laws, in practice there are no effective mechanisms to do justice or to protect the integrity and lives of women. But in an organized way, denouncing violence, pointing out the faults of the authorities and the sexist justice system, at the same time that we mobilize, we are going to destroy this system in which women are disposable. Through struggle and mobilization we will recover what has been taken from us: the right to walk in the street, go to a party, wear a skirt and demand justice for all.
Going to a party or enjoying social life is no justification for rape!
Comments