Eleven-year-old Leticia* spent many nights in the bathroom, hiding from her stepfather who sexually abused her. Supported by the initiative and courage of her 15-year-old brother, José, Leticia was able to file a report against her stepfather at the recently established Office of the Public Prosecutor for Victimized Children in Guatemala City and escape her nightmare.

Leticia’s case is not unique. An alarming number of children in Guatemala are victims of violence on the street and in the home. Many of these crimes go unreported due to gaps in the legal system.

The Office of the Public Prosecutor for Victimized Children, which UNICEF helped create in 2004 in cooperation with the Office of the Public Prosecutor, is trying to change this by providing a special place where crimes against children can be reported and justice obtained in a child-friendly environment.

The establishment of the specialized office for children within the prosecutor’s office is part of UNICEF’s objective to strengthen the justice system for child victims and juvenile offenders. It is only one aspect of an effort in Guatemala to enhance protection systems for children against abuse and sexual exploitation.

In the first 11 months of 2005, the prosecutor’s office reported 11,900 cases of sexual abuse, domestic violence and trafficking.

Leticia’s ordeal

Leticia’s ordeal started in her own home, where she felt that what was happening night after night wasn’t normal.

“My stepfather was molesting me at night,” Leticia says. “Sometimes I went to the bathroom in the middle of the night and waited there until dawn because I didn’t want to return to bed. Early in the morning I would go to my grandmother’s house.” Scared, she started staying with her grandmother.

Leticia’s brother recognizes that he doubted his sister at first. “I got mad and didn’t believe her,” he says. “Later, she told me the same story in front our stepfather, crying, and then I believed her.”

José decided to find out where to file a report, despite his mother’s opposition.

Every month, 200 complaints similar to Leticia’s are filed at the prosecutor’s office, half of them involving sexual abuse of minors.

An early introduction to the justice system

Both brother and sister, who now live with their grandmother, understand the consequences of their report: If their stepfather is found guilty, he could go to prison for 6 to 12 years.

“I wouldn’t want him to go to jail, because I wouldn’t like to go there myself,” says José. “The only thing I want is that he leaves my home forever.”

So far, the case is still open. Leticia has already gone to the forensic physician and to psychologists, who will evaluate her physical condition and the emotional impact of the abuse. In addition, the police will collect data for the investigation.

Leticia wipes the ink off the finger she used to sign her testimony. Her grandmother’s and brother’s fingerprints are next to hers. She is calmer now, relieved that she was able to disclose her story – one she wishes had never happened.

* Names have been changed.

Note: Some country-specific information was provided by UNICEF country offices or drawn from UNICEF country office annual reports.