Listen to their Voices and Act: Stop the Rape and Sexual Abuse of Girls in Nicaragua

Rape and sexual abuse are widespread in Nicaragua, and the majority of victims are young. Police analysis of rape reports over the 10-year period from 1998 to 2008 recorded 14,377 cases. More than two thirds of reports (9,695 cases) involved girls under the age of 17.4 The police report concluded: “The fact that the majority of victims are minors affects society, the culture and the economy on much more than just an individual level. The impact is such that it has become a national problem.”