Eleven women were found with apparent signs of abuse, in what was apparently a rehabilitation center that did not have the required permits from the authorities. The Mayor of Bucaramanga indicated that it is being investigated whether sexual services were offered in said place.
A new case of alleged exploitation and abuse against women impacts Bucaramanga. In the last few hours, local authorities intervened in a foundation that operated in Comuna 12 and where apparently several adolescents and adults were subjected to mistreatment and abuse.
On El Jardín Avenue, between the Terrazas and Cabecera sectors, this intervention was carried out through an articulated operation between the Mayor’s Office, Police, Sijín and Icbf. The initial report indicates that eleven women in total were found in said place.
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From the Bucaramanga Health Secretariat and from Mayor Jaime Andrés Beltrán himself, multiple problems were reported in the operation of this apparent foundation. It was even warned that a possible case of sexual exploitation is being investigated.
“We discovered a ‘rehabilitation center’ without any documentation to operate, where there were five adolescents and six adult women with signs of alleged abuse,” reported the mayor of Bucaramanga.
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The operation in question was coordinated after multiple complaints made by the community and after field verifications carried out by the authorities.
“This Friday the authorities intervened in that foundation, where it seems that there were constant cases of violence and abuse against women,” leaders of Commune 12 told Vanguardia.
The authorities reported that investigation work is progressing to determine if there is a possible sexual exploitation network in this case.
“There were constant scandals in the place, with people entering and leaving late at night. It is also being investigated whether sexual services were offered,” added the president.
What happened to the victims?
The eleven women were taken to a medical center in the city for examinations and assessments of their health status. For now there is no official report on the diagnoses.
“Some of these minors and adults have already been handed over to their parents and families, other women have been taken to a shelter. At this time we cannot give additional information or reveal more data, because the case is a matter of investigation,” Claudia Mercedes Amaya, Secretary of Health of the Mayor’s Office of Bucaramanga, informed Vanguardia.
It is important to clarify that the Colombian Institute of Family Welfare, Icbf, was in charge of coordinating the reunions of women with their parents, in the case of minors.
“Bucaramanga is not going to allow child abuse or exploitation, we will continue to carry out operations and discover these garage establishments,” said the Mayor.
There were requirements previously
At the beginning of last month, the Local Government had already noticed multiple failures and irregularities in the operation of this supposed foundation, in the midst of a surveillance and control inspection that was carried out.
“On April 9, the secretariat team entered that house, and during the tour it was evident that the proper hygienic and sanitary conditions did not exist. A temporary seal was applied (closing of activities),” reported the Local Health Secretary.
Beds and mattresses in poor condition, damp walls and food prepared without any health protocol were part of the findings reported by the authorities.
