Organized violence and child exploitation on the rise in schools

Criminals infiltrate schools by posing as janitors, teachers and even principals

MEXICO CITY.- The Office of the Ombudsman for Children’s Rights (ODI) revealed that so far in 2024 the number of children who have been arrested has increased to 27 documented cases in the countrynow in 12 states, where boys and girls reported organized violence and sexual exploitation in schools.

Criminals infiltrate schools in Mexico

The ODI, in its 2024 report “It’s a Secret: Child Sexual Exploitation in Schools”points out that until now it is not clarified How criminals infiltrate schools posing as teachers, principals or janitorial staff.

“Not a single policy has changed of the Ministry of Public Education (SEP),” he stressed.

“There is no greater transparency in schools and There is no progress in the investigation of possible connections between the cases”

He noted that until now there is no clear and transparent procedure for the hiring of teachers in the schools.

Anomalies in the files of accused teachers

“In the litigated cases it has been impossible to determine how, when, under what standards and by whose authorization the accused teachers were hired. Employment records are unequal, incomplete and fragmented,” he stressed.

“There is no clear regulation on how school staff are hired. The allocation of places within schools is a black box.”

“Opacity and discretion turn the designation of positions into a possible bargaining chip. In many cases, the appointments have to do with economic, political or personal interests,” he added.

“It’s a Secret: Child Sexual Exploitation in Schools”

The NGO said that three years ago, the publication of the report “It’s a Secret: Child Sexual Exploitation in Schools” It was a scandalas more than 40 national and local media outlets gave it coverage.

So, The international press wrote about these cases and on two occasions the president (Andrés Manuel López Obrador) was publicly questioned about the topic.

“Given the public concern and the certainty that the head of the Executive Branch himself was aware of the reported cases, You would think that action would be taken to investigate the facts and to prevent future abuses in schools. However, The answer was different: dilute and let it pass.“, he emphasized.

The Executive “ignored the complaints”

He assured that at the time of being questioned, the Executive ignored specific complaints from schools captured for crimes in which multiple aggressors acted together.

“He simply responded by referring to violence against children in general.”

“Your answer condemned violence and mentioned that the Secretariat of Security and Citizen Protection was very aware of the issue,” he continued.

“He assured that the head of the institution would provide more information on child protection measures.”

“The SSPC report never happened and Complaints of organized violence were ignored“, it needs.

The ODIN report adds that In 2021, 18 schools were counted in which Little boys and girls denounced violence organized.

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