Members of the armed forces were responsible for 71% of the 69 cases of sexual assault registered in Colombia in 2008, revealed a study on Wednesday.
A report regarding socio-political violence against women and young females which focuses on sexual abuse was presented before the association Mesa de Trabajo Mujer y Conflicto Armado, and sought to shed light on the various forms of violence perpetrated against this sector of the Colombian population.
According to the report, of the remainder of 2008’s 69 cases, 21.7% were attributed to guerrillas and 7.2% to paramilitary organizations, reported news agency EFE.
Among its statements, the report highlighted the “increase in violation cases against minors,” and detailed that “in 2008, the National Institute of Legal Medicine registered 21,202 sexual reports, 907 more than in 2007.”
84% of the victims were women, and the most affected were minors aged between 10 and 14.
It was also revealed that between July 2007 and June 2008 at least 1,407 people lost their lives outside of combat, in locations such as their own home, the street or workplace for “socio-political reasons.”