Over 600 abuse of minors since 2010 by teachers: endless violence in Peru

The Ministry of Education of Peru (Mineu) took a decisive position against the sexual violence in schoolssanctioning 469 teachers in the province of Condorcanquilocated in the Amazonas region. This intervention is part of a wider operation that led to a total of 1,428 penalties at national level For serious crimes, including sexual abuse and even ties with terrorism.

The action of the minedu also includes the preventive suspension of 139 teachers and the cessation of the contract for another 10, following accusations of abuses on minors. The authorities have declared that the main objective of these measures is to guarantee safe school environments and protect students from episodes of violence. To this end, they have been destined Over 2 million Soles To the Regional Government of the Amazonas to cover the payment of substitute teachers, thus avoiding repercussions on the local educational system.

Unfortunately it is a problem rooted in the region. The Province of Condorcanqui, in fact, is not new to episodes of sexual violence against minors. Since 2010 they have been reported over 600 cases of abuse With numerous teachers involved, as well as members of the security forces and illegal miners. Only in November 2024, in the region were recorded 22 new cases of sexual violencesignal of a crisis that does not mention decrease.

The Minister of Education had called them a “cultural practice”

To deal with the problem, the government has started the creation of 18 EU protection networksinvolving local leaders formed to recognize and prevent episodes of abuse. In addition, one will be installed in the district of Condorcanqui “Gessel camera”a system designed for conduct interviews with minors victims of violenceavoiding to revive the trauma during the investigation.

Despite the measures adopted, several local and international organizations have expressed dissatisfaction with the management of the crisis by the Peruvian state. The Council of Women of Awajún and Wampis (Comuawuy) denounced the lack of resources and the absence of an effective plan to solve the problem. The United Nations Committee for the rights of the childhood also highlighted deficiencies in state interventionunderlining the need for greater commitment in the protection of girls and teenagers in the region.

The statements of the Minister of Education, Morgan Quero, further fed the controversy. In 2024, the minister raised indignation by defining sexual abuse in indigenous communities as one “Cultural practice”alluding to an alleged family training model. His words sparked protests, with human and parliamentary rights organizations that accused him of minimizing the problem. The deputy Ruth Luque even presented one Formal complaint against himaccusing it of discrimination.

The intervention of Minedu represents a step forward in the fight against violence in schools, but the situation in Condorcanqui highlights the need for a more structured and lasting approach to ensure the safety of minors in the most vulnerable areas of Peru.