The Province of Huaral lies about fifty miles from Lima, Peru. Also known as the “Agricultural Capital” of Peru, the region’s economy is primarily rural and based on agriculture. Life can be difficult here. The province is populated by families who fight daily to access basic living needs such as water, electricity, healthcare, and education.
One such family consisted of a single mother with four children. She worked tirelessly in the fields to provide for her family, trusting the children’s maternal grandmother to care for them while she worked.
While the mother spent long days in the fields, her brother was using her absence to gain the trust of his two young nieces, ages 14 and 9, gradually subjecting them to sexual abuse through threats. He then recorded the abuse and disseminated the images on social media. The grandmother and mother of the children were unaware of the unspeakable crimes a trusted family member was committing, hiding in plain sight. And the uncle was unaware that his digital footprint was being reviewed by authorities.
These images were tracked by the Specialized Prosecutors Office for Human Trafficking, in conjunction with the Peruvian National Police (PNP), Division of Cyber Protection Investigations (DIVCPI). Our Rescue provided logistical support in the form of a vehicle rental, food, and blankets to Peruvian Specialized Prosecutors, PNP personnel, and the victims.
During two simultaneous operations, the PNP and the Specialized Prosecutors Office for Human Trafficking were able to arrest the uncle on charges of assault and aggravated Child Pornography of multiple minor-age children. A nine-year-old boy was also rescued in this operation.
Cases like this can be deeply traumatic not only for the survivors but also for their loved ones. Our Rescue was present from the moment of the rescue, providing support to the child survivors and their mother and accompanying them during the initial stages of the care process. As part of this support, we provided blankets, personal hygiene items, and toys. Later, at the request of the Peruvian Prosecutor’s Office, Our Rescue provided support with the family’s accommodation and meals while the necessary legal proceedings were being carried out, according to Mercedes Preciado, Director of Survivor Care – South America.
The child survivors are currently receiving psychological therapy, and Our Rescue remains committed to accompanying them and providing support according to their needs throughout their recovery and healing journey.
Why Your Support Matters
Your donation to Our Rescue enables us to support law enforcement in their efforts to catch perpetrators like the uncle in this case, and to bring justice and healing to survivors and their families. The fight is not an easy one, but with your generosity, we can continue to build a world free of child exploitation.
