One in four girls is a victim of sexual violence

Figures reveal that one in four girls and one in six boys has been a victim of sexual violence, and that in 85% of cases the aggressor is someone close to the victim, according to civil society organizations.

In this context, several NGOs announced the launch of a free catalog of educational, teaching, and training resources aimed at principals, teachers, families, and caregivers. This is intended to reinforce the awareness campaign on the seriousness of sexual abuse and child abuse, scheduled by the Ministry of Public Education (SEP) for September 8 in schools across the country.

Some of the data collected include: 98 investigation files for sexual violence against children and adolescents are opened every day; between 2019 and 2023, 9,822 minors required medical attention for sexual violence; an average of 27 per day; the Office of the Ombudsman for Children's Rights (ODI) documented cases of serious sexual assault in public and private preschools: as of June 2024, 27 cases had been recorded in 12 states; from 2012 to 2023, 3,534 cases of sexual violence committed by school staff were recorded, i.e., one case per day in Mexican classrooms.

"We're talking about very young children, many of them between 5 and 9 years old, who don't have the tools to identify what's happening to them," warned Valeria González, a specialist with the Alumbra network. She also emphasized that 7 out of 10 aggressors are family members, which makes reporting and detection even more difficult.

The role of schools

The activist highlighted the importance of the education sector as a space for early detection, but also the need to strengthen the Offices for the Protection of Children and Adolescents, created to support victims in the reporting process and the restoration of rights. "Educational personnel often don't know how to act; it's not their responsibility to investigate, but rather to activate protocols and immediately notify the competent authorities," she explained.

Aware of this reality, organizations such as Alumbra, Fundación Freedom, Guardianes, ODI, Te Protejo México, and Unión Mujer, among others, have developed a free catalog that seeks to provide educational communities with practical and effective tools.

The materials include: the Lobo Program, for comprehensive sexuality education and peaceful conflict resolution; a child sexual abuse prevention manual; a civics and digital culture manual; recreational tools for teachers, families, and students; the Escáner Program, specialized in sexuality education, assertive communication, and active listening for parents and caregivers; and guides for safe social media management; which is available free online.