Victim/perpetrator, the underlying duality in a damaged society

Violence is a daily reality in society, regardless of social class; it does not discriminate and is widely reflected in the media. In early June, a shocking case of a three-year-old boy was rescued in Chimaltenango by agents of the National Civil Police (PNC). According to the videos released and the descriptions of the authorities, the child was tied up and showed severe signs of malnutrition and abuse. All the news left one unanswered question: who could commit such an atrocity against an innocent person? Where is the mother?

According to official sources, the mother of the minor has four children. The oldest is ten years old, the second is nine years old, the third child (the youngest rescued) is three years old, and there is a baby who is six months old. After rescue and investigation, the authorities captured the child’s mother. It is worth noting that the woman is 25 years old.

Let us analyse this case using a gender and intersectionality approach. Let me make this clear, this does not in any way justify the violence perpetrated and reproduced against children.

Ten years ago, the woman was between 14 and 15 years old, which means her first pregnancy occurred around 2013 or 2014. As of 2009, sexual intercourse with girls, boys and adolescents under the age of 14 is considered a crime. Article 173 of the Criminal Code defines sexual rape, “which is usually committed when the victim is under the age of 14.”

(frasepzp1)

Knowing the living conditions and development of this woman is very important to understand the cycle of violence in a society like Guatemala. It is clear that she was a victim of various forms of violence, one of which we can identify from this analysis, that of sexual violence at the age of 13/14, which was confirmed at the time of pregnancy. According to the Sexual and Reproductive Health Observatory, in 2013, 4,354 births of children under 14 were registered, and in 2014, 5,119 pregnancies were registered – the mother of these children could be one of these data.

Now, the media no longer talk about the gender violence that occurs in the life of the mother of a minor. Nor do they invite us to reflect through their publications: who are the fathers or parents of these four children? Therefore, I invite you to ask yourself: why does society and the media – its reflection – report the news only with information from mothers? Why is there no general analysis of the violence that destroys society?

According to the Sexual and Reproductive Health Observatory, in Guatemala, 856 pregnancies were registered among girls under 14 years old from January to May 2024. What are the life stories of these minors? What will their lives look like in 10 years? What opportunities did they have and were they denied?

Many of these girls have to face circumstances that render them vulnerable, depriving them of basic opportunities such as receiving a full education and leading a dignified life. In this unfair context, a latent duality in society may be unleashed, which will undoubtedly only reflect the deep divisions and persistent inequalities regarding girls and teenage pregnancy.

Comprehensive sexuality education (CSE), guaranteed access to mental health services, improved dignified living conditions and efficient justice systems are essential.

In this context, I emphasize Freud’s words: “If we understand the reasons for other people’s behavior, everything makes sense.”