Probe into sexual harassment and abuse in child centers

A subcommittee  of the National Assembly’s Commission for Women, Children and, Youth  will  conduct an investigation  into alleged abuse and sexual harassment in  various shelters for minors

The committee will summon officials related to the issue of childhood and adolescence, as well as making visits to shelters, and conducting interviews with the leaders of the foundations and NGOs to manage the facilities.

One of the first steps of this team of deputies will be to prepare a questionnaire to presented on  Wednesday to the legislative commission and, later, summon the director of the National Secretariat for Children, Adolescents, and Family (Senniaf), Sara Rodriguez.

Senniaf is the entity responsible for supervising and supervising the country’s shelters that take in minors.

“I cannot believe that the entities that are called upon to protect children are being complicit in alleged mistreatment and abuse. We don’t even have anyone responsible for a sensitive issue like this, ” said  dub-committee  member  Walkiria Chandler Chandler

Her statements come after a series of events related to cases of alleged maltreatment and sexual abuse in the Centro Integral Fundación Chilibre Panamá shelters, in Tocumen, and Refugio Vida Libre, in Las Garzas, Panama, and in the Amor de Damas Refuge, in Veraguas were revealed. All welcomed children and adolescents.

The deputy said that on September 9 they must deliver a report to the Commission, on the findings resulting from summons, interviews, and tours of the shelters.

“At first glance, it seems that there was an omission on the part of the Senniaf in the fulfillment of its function and someone has to be responsible since the issue cannot be forgotten. Anomalies in children’s shelters should not go unpunished, ”she said.

This wll be the second time that the Senniaf director has been summoned by a commission of the National Assembly. Last Thursday she was at the Government and Justice Commission, where she was called to give explanations about what was happening inside the shelters.

In addition to giving explanations about what happened in the centers, the official asked the deputies to help her obtain a better budget.

Jennie Barb, president of the United for Children Foundation, it is “urgent” that the operating regulations of the shelters be reviewed, and that the population they will serve is clearly specified.