Referential image. The teenager said that they took her phone and raped her. Photo: File / El Comercio
Diego Puente
4 March 2021
The morning of Thursday, 4 March 2021, the hearing of appeal in the case of sexual violence known as Endémico, recorded in Galapagos, was suspended. The Provincial Court of Guayas will indicate a new date to resume the proceedings.
The defense team of the victim, a 15-year-old teenager, rejected the decision adopted on January 15 in which the trial judge who acquitted a suspect. Stalyn Oviedo, their lawyer, points out that they seek to avoid an injustice.
The events date back to the night of November 7, 2020. The suspect, another teenager, invited the victim to a tourist boat. The boy’s cousin and another friend of foreign nationality also were in attendance. All minors. The victim arrived home at around 3:00 p.m. on November 8.
According to the account of the teenager, which is now part of the file, the sexual attack took place on the ship. She said her phone was taken from her and [she was] raped .
This case was divided into two lines of investigation: the adolescent who invited her was charged with sexual abuse, while the other two minors were prosecuted for rape.
The current Penal Code (COIP) punishes the first offense with up to five years in prison, while rape is punishable by up to 22 years. However, when it comes to minors, the penalties are lowered and they must comply with isolation in a center for adolescent offenders in the event of a conviction.
After hearing the first sentencing acquitted one of the defendants, groups of women, friends and relatives of the victim held marches and sit-ins in Santa Cruz. Under the slogan “I do believe you,” they demanded an impartial investigation into this case. In the videos, people are seen walking with banners, green T-shirts and balloons.
The second case, related to the charges of rape, is still under investigation. The defense seeks that the three adolescents be prosecuted for this crime.
Read the original coverage from El Comercio at https://www.elcomercio.com/actualidad/adolescente-ataque-sexual-juez-galapagos.html
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