Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Tegucigalpa (Agenzia Fides) - The phenomenon of sexual abuse and violence against children continues to be one of the main problems of the Country. In 2014, NGO Doctors Without Borders recorded a total of 1,715 cases of child abuse. Of this total, 57% corresponds to children between 0 and 18 years of age. The situation is aggravated by the fact that in Honduras only 10% of victims report the crime. In addition to very serious physical consequences, minors risk contracting diseases such as syphilis, gonorrhea, hepatitis or HIV. The psychological damage is just as dramatic. A study of the Pan American Health Organization reveals that these victims have serious problems throughout their life. Adults who were sexually abused as children are at risk in fact of behavioral, physical and mental problems that can lead to acts of violence, depression, consumption of substances which are harmful to health. (AP) (Agenzia Fides 17/07/2015)
