First Global Ministerial Conference to
‍End Violence Against Women

“It is not just about surviving, but about being heard and changing the stories that should not be repeated.” These were the words of Victoria Marichal, a survivor of sexual violence and participant in the First Global Ministerial Conference on Ending Violence Against Children (EVAC). 

The Conference, held on November 7-8, 2024, was led by the Colombian and Sweden governments, in collaboration with UNICEF and WHO. 

The Ministerial brought together leaders from 119 countries, officials from international organizations, activists and, prominently, survivors of violence who have turned their stories into banners of resistance. Among them were Claudia Milagro Montes and Salvador Cacho González, who, along with Victoria, were the protagonists of a Satellite event organized by International Justice Mission (IJM), the Latin America and Caribbean Brave Movement, Equality Now and A Breeze of Hope.  

The satellite event focused on two main activities:
1. It presented a series of requests to put an end to violence against children. The requests, made by survivors and allied organizations, asked government participants to commit to creating trauma-informed justice system that centers on the needs of survivors. 
2. Attendees were able to have an immersive experience inside three rooms representing different types of violence: 1) domestic and incest, 2) clerical, and 3) in sports. Each of these rooms, with heartbreaking testimonies, exposed the magnitude of the problem and the urgency to act.  

Each space was transformed into a symbol of memory and resistance, where the stories of the victims evidenced that behind the statistics there are lives marked, although not defined, by violence.

‍A global problem with a local impact  
Violence against children and adolescents affects more than half of minors in the world. According to the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), one in two children between the ages of 2 and 17 suffers some type of violence. In Latin America, the figure rises to 58%, with cases of physical, sexual or emotional abuse.
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Liza Ordóñez, IJM's Director of Advocacy, stressed during the event that this crisis not only causes physical and emotional damage, but also undermines the social fabric and represents global economic losses in the millions. For survivors, violence is not just a number; it is a pain that impacts every aspect of their lives. For this reason, the event called for concrete actions in four key areas:  

•Strengthening judicial systems: Avoiding re-victimization, guaranteeing comprehensive care and prioritizing the protection of minors.  
•Investing in prevention: Funding sustainable initiatives that raise awareness in communities and attack the root causes of violence.  
•Effective public policies: Converting international commitments into tangible actions in homes, schools and communities.  
•Active participation of survivors: Recognizing victims as key actors in the design and monitoring of solutions.  

By sharing their stories, several survivors of child sexual violence reflected on a painful truth: abuse is a tragedy that not only destroys lives, but also faces almost insurmountable barriers to its eradication.

With vast experience in the field of sexual violence against children, IJM’s shared during the event a series of requests for countries that will increase the capacity of the Public Justice System to address this crime and will ensure that victims are treated with dignity. The requests indicated that governments’ procedures and budgets should: 
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•enable effective investigation of reports of Violence Against Children without causing revictimization
•ensure the safety of children who have experienced and reported abuse and exploitation
•hold abusers accountable through prosecution
•ensure access to reparations and create pathways to restoration
•can tackle online sexual violence against children as well. 

Below is a sample of the courage and struggles of those who, despite the suffering, demand justice and dignity for all children and adolescents in the world.  

‍“Talking heals, but it also mobilizes”  
Victoria Marichal, an Uruguayan psychologist and activist, is a survivor of child sexual abuse who has transformed her experience into a platform to fight against sexual violence in childhood and adolescence. As strategic vice president of Valientes LATAM and leader of the Ikove Project, she works to break down the stigma surrounding victims and demand justice.  

In her participation in “Rooms that Don’t Remain Silent” Victoria highlighted the need to break the silence that perpetuates sexual violence in Latin America and the Caribbean. She stressed that states are yet to respond adequately to the magnitude of this problem or to its devastating effects on victims.  

For Victoria, silence is an obstacle that perpetuates abuse, and speaking out is a form of healing and action. In her words: “Talking heals, but it also mobilizes. Each story we share opens a door for victims to stop feeling alone.”  

‍“Home should be a refuge, not a battlefield”  
In the first room, dedicated to domestic violence, Claudia Montes, a 26-year-old Honduran advocate, told her story. As a child who suffered sexual abuse at the hands of a close relative, she faced not only the silence of those who should have protected her, but also a judicial system that re-victimized her. “Home should be a refuge, not a battlefield,” she stated, emphasizing that the system, far from offering protection, perpetuates the dehumanization of victims.  

Claudia pointed out that justice cannot be limited to imprisoning the aggressor, since victims need comprehensive support. In her case, she had to wait until she was 20 to pay for medical and psychological services on her own. It was then that she discovered the physical damage that the abuse had left her with. “Honduras has 90% impunity in cases of child sexual violence. Many of us survive thanks to our own efforts, not thanks to the system. That is not justice,” she denounced. She also questioned the lack of follow-up for the aggressors after serving their sentences: “If my aggressor gets out after a few years, who protects me? Justice must include long-term security for victims.”  

From the age of 14, after overcoming suicide attempts, Claudia found a purpose in activism. Thanks to the support of civil society organizations, she began to work to transform a system that normalizes violence and leaves victims helpless. She founded networks and now offers psychosocial support to people affected by sexual assault, helping them navigate a judicial system that often re-victimizes them.  

For Claudia, being an advocate is an act of solidarity. By being part of the Latin America Brave Movement, the network of survivors of which she is a member, she found a space of support and shared struggle. “This network is a collective embrace, a place where we transform our pain and anger into action. We want no girl to grow up thinking she is alone, as I did.” Her mission is clear: to achieve a more humane system and guarantee that justice is not just a concept, but a restorative reality for each survivor.  

‍“The shame is not of the victims, but of the aggressors”  
Salvador González, Mexican advocate and survivor of child sexual violence, stressed that in Mexico, where child sexual violence ranks first in global indices, the issue remains a taboo sustained the silence of society.  

For Salvador, child abuse does not come from strangers, but from people close to him: family, teachers or friends. “75% of cases are committed by someone known [by the victim]. “It is a mistake to think that it only happens in certain social strata,” he said. Shame and stigma unfairly fall on the victims, rather than the aggressors. Salvador shared that his own aggressor was a close relative, who not only abused his trust, but destroyed his innocence. “The shame should be on the aggressor, not the victim. I did nothing wrong,” he emphasized.  

As an advocate and founder of the organization ANCLA, Salvador accompanies victims in legal and healing processes. His foundation offers psychological, psychiatric support, cultural and sports therapies, seeking the comprehensive restoration of people. “Justice is a parallel process to the personal one. Both are important, but different,” he explained, pointing out that the statute of limitations for crimes is an obstacle in Latin America, although some countries have made progress in eliminating them. However, he warned that laws cannot be retroactive, leaving many victims trapped in legal limbo.  

Despite these barriers, Salvador has raised his voice, highlighting the importance of support networks to deal with pain and bureaucracy. In his case, his mother was his greatest support, along with mental health professionals and unconditional friends. He stressed that mental health must be a priority for governments, since child sexual violence constitutes a public health crisis.  

Breaking the taboo is essential for Salvador, especially because men face a double stigma when speaking about these issues. “The fact that it happened to me does not define me or make me less worthy. It has given me more strength to demand change. Today I am a voice that will not be silenced,”.  

‍Real commitments and bold actions  
The event was attended by the first lady of Colombia, Verónica Alcocer, who expressed her support for the victims and pledged to work for safe environments for children. “My voice will always be there for you,” she said.  

The satellite event concluded with a clear message: the eradication of violence against children is possible, but it requires real commitment and bold actions. Victoria, Salvador and Claudia reminded the leaders that change is urgent and that children cannot wait. “It is time for public policies to be more than promises. “We need justice, protection and spaces where our voices are heard,” said Victoria.  

The three survivors shared a promise: to continue to raise their voices, because the rooms that were once silent are now spaces of struggle and hope. In Claudia’s words: “We cannot change the past, but we can build a present where childhood is sacred, and violence is unthinkable.”