In a recent parliamentary debate on the state of Justice in Cabo Verde, legislators from various parties emphasized the need for a coordinated response to combat sexual crimes against children. The discussion highlighted the alarming increase in such crimes, with a focus on the necessity for prevention and protection of victims. Deputy Jacira Monteiro from the Movement for Democracy (MpD) pointed out the surge in violence based on gender and sexual violence, citing the "Operation Aurora" case on the island of Sal as an example that demands cross-sectoral interventions.
The debate also saw Deputy Ana Rosa from the African Party for the Independence of Cabo Verde (PAICV) stressing the importance of reflecting on children's rights and the situation of childhood in Cabo Verde. According to her, the country continues to face situations of violence, neglect, sexual abuse, and social vulnerability affecting children. This sentiment was echoed by Deputy Zilda Oliveira from the Union for the Independence and Democracy of Cabo Verde (UCID), who emphasized the fundamental role of prevention through coordinated responses among different institutions.
Statistics presented during the debate revealed that in the 2025/2026 judicial year, the Public Prosecution received 750 cases related to sexual crimes, with 355 of them concerning sexual abuse of children. These numbers underscore the urgency for a comprehensive approach that goes beyond the judiciary, involving Education, families, Social Security, and communities. Deputy Ana Rosa argued that protecting children cannot rely solely on court actions, necessitating a joint effort from various sectors.
Deputy Zilda Oliveira highlighted the critical role of education in promoting respect for personal boundaries, identifying abusive behaviors, and fostering positive masculinities. She advocated for a preventive approach, emphasizing that education can play a pivotal role in combating sexual crimes against children. This perspective aligns with the government's stance on the need for a multi-faceted strategy to address the issue.
In response to the debate, Minister of Family, Inclusion, Social Development, and Labor Adélsia Almeida called for the reinforcement of human resources and technical capacities of the courts. She proposed the creation of multidisciplinary teams to ensure an integrated approach to cases of violence and sexual abuse. The minister also recognized the importance of establishing mechanisms for coordination between public institutions and community associations, with a greater emphasis on prevention.
Minister Almeida identified several challenges, including the need to prevent the revictimization of victims and to create mechanisms that prevent the repetition of aggression situations. She outlined that the government's program includes measures such as conducting diagnostics, training technicians and professionals, including teachers, accelerating judicial processes, operationalizing listening rooms, and enhancing data production on this matter for prevention purposes.
The discussion concluded with a consensus on the necessity for a coordinated and multi-sectoral approach to combat sexual crimes against children in Cabo Verde. The government's initiatives and the parliament's engagement reflect a shared commitment to addressing this critical issue. By working together, Cabo Verde aims to strengthen prevention, protect victims, and ensure a safer environment for children.
Key points
- The Cabo Verdean government and parliament are seeking a coordinated response to combat the rising cases of sexual crimes against children.
- Education is seen as a crucial element in preventing sexual crimes against children by promoting respect for personal boundaries and positive masculinities.
- The government plans to reinforce the judiciary's human resources and technical capacities and to create multidisciplinary teams to tackle violence and sexual abuse cases.
