MP inaugurates a prosecutor’s office specialized in sexual abuse of minors

The Attorney General of Venezuela, Tarek William Saab, inaugurated this Tuesday a prosecutor’s office specialized in crimes of sexual abuse of children and adolescents, attached to the General Directorate for the Protection of Family and Women, in collaboration with the United Nations Fund for Children (Unicef) in the country.

Saab, who was accompanied by the Unicef ​​representative in Venezuela, Abubacar Sultan, explained that the specialized prosecutor’s office is part of a work plan with the organization, with objectives set for 2023-2024, which includes the donation of office materials, computer equipment , informative material and the training and training of officials who make up the country’s justice system.

He explained that the entity will be made up of a provisional prosecutor, five interim assistant prosecutors, an assistant lawyer, a technical-social worker and seven administrative officials.

For his part, the Unicef ​​representative recalled that sexual abuse “is a crime and one of the worst forms of violence against children and adolescents,” while stressing that “the majority” of cases of abuse are not detected or reported.

“The shame, pain and fear suffered by children and adolescents, and sometimes their families, often make it difficult to report, document, verify the situations and punish the person responsible,” said Sultan.

He stated that the creation of this prosecutor’s office represents “a firm commitment by the State” to “guarantee that cases of child sexual abuse are investigated exhaustively and efficiently,” that “the perpetrators are brought to justice” and that “the victims receive the protection and support they need to overcome trauma and rebuild their lives.

For Unicef, the establishment of the Special Prosecutor’s Office for Crimes that Attack the Sexual Integrity of Boys, Girls and Adolescents “is significant because it is the first time” that an instance of the Public Ministry “will be dedicated exclusively to the protection of children.” against this type of transgressions.

Saab recalled that for years, without specifying how many, the institution he represents has had a program called Pedophilia is a Crime, for the defense of children..