🗞️ Domestic violence has risen by more than 50% in the last year, with 49,000 cases reported in the first four months of 2024 - the highest figure for the period in the last decade.
Sexual crimes have also increased in number, according to official figures released this week.
In Colombia, a femicide (i.e. the killing of a woman or girl, in particular by a man and on account of her gender) is perpetrated roughly every 18 hours. Most are killed by stabbing, and by current or former partners. In many cases, victims have previously sought protection measures or law enforcement relating to domestic violence or abuse.
Only a small percentage of domestic violence or sexual crimes go to trial and very few result in convictions, though the current government has implemented legal reform to toughen sentences for those who are convicted of crimes against women.
These statistics emerged in the same week that two women were murdered by former partners in public places in broad daylight in Bogotá, in two unrelated incidents. The city’s Mayor has now announced increased funds and training for related police units.
🗞️ Armed violence in Colombia’s south-west continues. On Sunday, a massacre was perpetrated in Valle the Cauca and - on the same day - two children, aged six and eight, were killed during an assassination attempt against their uncle, who survived the attack.
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