Terre des hommes (Tdh) supports populations displaced by the internal conflict in Colombia and is also now operating in Cartagena, a touristic town affected by sexual exploitation of children.

Solutions proposed by Terre des hommes

Aid for displaced persons – In the course of the conflict more than three million people have fled their village of origin for safer areas. The district of Bolivar is severely affected. Tdh supports these populations so as to guarantee the most basic of the rights of the children who remain the most badly affected by armed conflicts (the right to good health, education and protection). By training community workers and providing advice to local authorities, Tdh improves the situation of children and their families by offering access to health and education, by preventing domestic violence and helping communities to defend the rights that have been previously denied.

Protection against the risks of sexual exploitation – In Cartagena Tdh is continuing to fight sexual exploitation of children by promoting their denunciation, by offering legal assistance to the victims and defending children in legal proceedings. By making a plea to local and national authorities, Tdh is trying to significantly reduce the impunity of these crimes.


Results achieved in 2008

Aid to displaced persons – In Montes de María, Tdh is bringing aid to more than 5,000 persons displaced by the armed conflict. The spheres of intervention are: mother and child care, nutrition and psycho-social support, for rural refugee communities near areas of conflict. To facilitate access of communities to primary healthcare, Tdh is working in close collaboration with civil society and public services.

Protection against the risks of sexual exploitation – Impunity is gradually reduced since 45 cases have been exposed and 11 exploiters sentenced. The authorities are taking this problem seriously and are collaborating voluntarily with the Foundation.


Challenges to be taken up

Tdh wants to relieve the suffering of thousands of children displaced by the armed conflict - subjects to poverty, corruption and drug trafficking, by giving them the adequate methods to guaranty protection and access to education, and thus to avoid perpetuating the cycle of violence which is already greatly entrenched in Columbia. Tdh is also contributing to the establishing of a more rapid and effective justice, allowing sexually exploited children to regain their right to dignity, their physical and moral integrity, and to then have real opportunities for study, training and work.


Reduce impunity

5 little girls, from the same family, aged between 7 and 10, live in a poor area of Cartagena, When Tdh visited their school the headmistress said that Maria (aged 10) had a sexual relationship with a man, who was close to the family, in exchange of 2000 pesos (CHF 1.20). On several occasions this man took sexual advantage of girls while buying their silence with money or sweets. Tdh at once denounced this case to the authorities.
After the headmistress was questioned and legal examinations of the victims carried out a warrant was issued for the man’s arrest. Tdh was tasked with representing the girls, the man admitted all the charges against him and he was swiftly sentenced to 3 and a half years in prison for violation of a minor aged under 14, and fined 11,000,000 pesos (CHF 6,470).
This case illustrates the excellent collaboration between Tdh and the public authorities, which reacted rapidly. The acknowledging of the acts, the accurate witness statements about the facts, places and persons also contributed to the sentence being passed in speedy time, whereas normally in Colombia one observes a systematic «revictimisation » of children: they are forced to repeat time and again the acts; court officials work slowly and bureaucratically; there is a high level of corruption; and the collection of evidence is inadequate. It should however be noted that in these proceedings the Colombian legal system was not yet imposing exemplary penalties as in this case the guilty party only got 3 and a half years in prison. Since 2008, new laws have been passed, drastically increasing penalties for these crimes.