Nicaragua’s Hidden Crisis: Missing Data Masks Surge in Violence Against Women and Children
A disturbing silence has fallen over Nicaragua’s official reporting of violence against women and children. The Institute of Legal Medicine (IML), responsible for tracking these critical cases, hasn’t updated its statistics in over a year, leaving a gaping hole in the understanding of this pervasive issue.
the IML’s last monthly bulletin was published in December 2023, while its most recent yearbook, covering 2022 data, was released in November 2023. this lack of openness raises serious concerns, especially given the IML’s crucial role in documenting cases of sexual assault, physical injury, and psychological trauma affecting all segments of Nicaraguan society.
Former Supreme Court of Justice official, Yader Morazán, attributes the data blackout to the widespread disruption of judicial communications following a government shake-up in November 2023.”Legal Medicine,as part of the Judicial Branch,is not immune to this reality,” Morazán stated. “The areas responsible for managing the website are not functioning properly. This reflects a judicial power that has been practically paralyzed as the police intervention.”
Compounding the problem,the IML has also experienced layoffs,though the exact number of dismissed officials remains unknown.
A Policy of Concealment?
Sociologist and feminist María teresa Blandón believes the missing data is a deliberate strategy by the Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo regime to downplay the severity of violence, particularly against women and children. “The Ortega Murillo regime has systematically refused to apply Law 779 and implement public policies to prevent and punish this form of violence,” Blandón asserted.”This refusal to act and comply with the law is,in essence,an effort to cover up and hide the situation from public opinion.”
Blandón further argues that this data blackout extends far beyond violence statistics, creating a climate of “absolute opacity” across all sectors of Nicaraguan life. “This makes it extremely tough for citizens, civil society organizations, the United Nations, or regional and international financial institutions to access reliable information about the country’s reality,” she noted, citing crucial issues like economic data, poverty rates, and public health indicators as being obscured by the government’s actions.”This opacity is characteristic of governments that are not committed to addressing society’s most pressing problems,” Blandón reiterated.
The implications of this data suppression extend beyond Nicaragua’s borders. The lack of transparency hinders international efforts to support victims of violence and hold perpetrators accountable. The situation underscores the urgent need for international pressure on the Nicaraguan government to restore transparency and address the escalating crisis of violence against women and children.
shocking Statistics Reveal Surge in Violence Against Minors in Nicaragua
A recent report reveals alarming figures regarding violence against children and adolescents in Nicaragua. Between 2018 and 2023, a staggering 20,408 expert reports documented cases of sexual violence against minors under the age of 18. This represents a important portion of the 438,745 total expert reports conducted during that period.
The data, compiled from official sources, paints a grim picture. Girls aged 13 to 17 were disproportionately affected, accounting for 11,029 of the reported cases – 1,650 more than those involving girls aged 0 to 12. These numbers underscore the urgent need for increased protection and support for vulnerable young people in the region.
The report also sheds light on another critical issue: suicide. During the same five-year period,at least 1,190 expert reports were related to suicide. Of these, 975 involved men and 215 involved women, mirroring national suicide trends.
The sheer volume of these reports highlights a systemic problem demanding immediate attention. Experts are calling for increased resources for prevention programs, improved access to mental health services, and stricter enforcement of laws protecting children. The international community is urged to support nicaragua in addressing this crisis.
While the specific details of the report are concerning, the overall trend mirrors similar challenges faced by many countries globally. The United States, such as, has also grappled with rising rates of child sexual abuse and youth suicide, highlighting the need for comprehensive, preventative measures worldwide.
further research is needed to fully understand the underlying causes of these alarming statistics. Though, the data clearly indicates a critical need for immediate action to protect children and adolescents in Nicaragua and beyond. the international community must work together to support initiatives aimed at preventing violence and promoting mental health among young people.
For more information on suicide reports in Nicaragua,please see this related article: Forensic Medicine carried out 1,190 suicide reports in the last five years
