Las Tunas reports alarming figures of sexual assaults, with a higher incidence in rural areas

The Provincial Prosecutor's Office of Las Tunas has reported a troubling increase in sexual assaults in the area, particularly noting a higher prevalence in rural regions.

Lisbet Pavón Marchán, fiscal jefa del Departamento de Procesos Penales, informó al oficialista Newspaper 26This phenomenon, although also present in urban areas, has a significantly higher incidence in rural zones, particularly in the localities of Jobabo, Las Tunas, and Puerto Padre.

In 2023, official records documented 13 cases of sexual abuse and 18 cases of sexual assault. So far in 2024, there have already been 11 reports of abuse and 27 of assault.

However, although these figures may seem low, Pavón explained that "reality always surpasses statistics," as many cases remain unreported due to the shame and reluctance of victims to come forward.

The rural context exacerbates the situation, as abuse often stems from parents' excessive trust in individuals close to the family, such as uncles, stepfathers, or neighbors.

To understand the legal differences between sexual assault and abuse, the prosecutor clarified that assault involves penetration, while abuse refers to inappropriate touching. In both cases, the most common victims are minors.

Pavón emphasized that this type of crime often goes unnoticed at the moment, as the victims, especially minors, prefer to remain silent.

In this regard, it was noted that a recurring pattern in the cases handled by the Prosecutor's Office is the reluctance of minors towards those who commit abuses, as they often avoid being alone with these individuals. However, they do not report it immediately due to fear of retaliation, punishment, or the possibility of not being believed.

Pavón emphasizes that sexual offenders often maintain a socially acceptable appearance, which complicates their identification, and mentioned that in many cases, these individuals are close family members, such as stepfathers, uncles, grandparents, or cousins.

Victims often confide their traumatic experiences to grandparents or cousins rather than to their own parents.

The prosecutor argued that in recent cases, some minors only recount what happened after their mothers divorce the abuser, such as in situations where the abuser is the stepfather.

Pavón has also noted that many mothers dismiss their children's accusations, arguing that they are fabrications or lies.

The new Penal Code establishes clearer and more precise definitions to address crimes related to sexual freedom and integrity, providing greater protection to victims, regardless of their sex or age.

According to Norge Nosley Sastre García, chief prosecutor of the Department of Organization and Planning, as cited by Periódico 26, this legal framework aims to eliminate discriminatory criteria and unify legal concepts that were previously scattered across various classifications.

One of the main additions is the crime of sexual assault, which now includes elements that were previously categorized under the definitions of rape, violent pedophilia, and certain cases of lascivious abuse.

On the other hand, the term "sexual abuse" is reserved for acts involving inappropriate touching, without reaching penetration.

The current Penal Code regulates sexual abuse in Article 396.1, establishing penalties that include imprisonment for six months to two years, fines ranging from 200 to 500 units, or both.

In aggravating circumstances, penalties can reach up to five years in prison and higher fines.

According to Sastre, this new legal framework aims to address serious offenses in a comprehensive manner, ensuring protection for minors and providing a more equitable and thorough approach in cases of sexual crimes.

In October, a total of 19 individuals were convicted in Cuba for their involvement in child trafficking offenses between the years 2022 and 2024, according to a report published by the official newspaper Granma.

During the specified period, 14 cases related to this illegal act were prosecuted, following the identification of an equal number of victims, all of whom were underage girls. The sentences imposed on the accused, which include 13 men and six women, range from three to 20 years in prison.

In June, an officer from the Ministry of the Interior who sexually abused a four-year-old girl in the municipality of Buey Arriba was sentenced, in a second instance, to three years of imprisonment by the Provincial Court of Granma.

Maikel Solano Arévalo was sentenced by this judicial body three months after the Municipal Court of Buey Arriba initially sentenced him to just three years of corrective labor without internment, meaning he would not serve time in prison.

That month, after more than two days of intense searching that kept the authorities and the residents of Cienfuegos on edge, the man accused of multiple sexual assaults was finally captured.

Dunién Hernández, a resident of Reina Street, was arrested in the early hours of Friday by the Special Brigade, according to user Saúl Manuel on Facebook.

Frequently Asked Questions about Sexual Assaults in Las Tunas