Cabo Verde's Minister of Family, Inclusion, Social Development, and Labor, Adélcia Almeida, has spoken out against the normalization of relationships between children and adults in the country. In an interview with Expresso das Ilhas, Almeida emphasized that such relationships constitute a form of sexual violence and a crime. She stressed the need for reinforced prevention, reporting, and protection of victims.
According to Almeida, the law in Cabo Verde defines a child as anyone under the age of 18, with some exceptions, such as emancipation at 16 for marriage purposes. The Penal Code establishes criteria for decision-making capacity and consent. Almeida noted that if a child under 16 is not in a relationship with an adult by their own free will, it is considered a situation of sexual violence.
Almeida highlighted that relationships between children and adults are marked by unequal power dynamics, with the child still in psychological development and lacking the same decision-making capacity as an adult. She emphasized that the current legislation already condemns such relationships through the Penal Code and the Child and Adolescent Statute (ECA). However, Almeida acknowledged that the main challenge lies in the effective implementation of existing legal mechanisms and policies.
The minister stressed the importance of preventing sexual violence and protecting children, particularly in the digital context. She advocated for open discussion of the issue in Cabo Verdean society and the provision of age-appropriate information to children and adolescents to help them identify risk situations and recognize potential threats to their safety.
Almeida called on families, schools, neighbors, and communities to be vigilant and report suspected cases of child sexual violence. She emphasized that it is not necessary to be certain of a crime to report suspicions to the authorities, as long as there are indications that justify intervention. The minister also highlighted the role of families as the primary responsible parties for protecting children.
According to Almeida, sexual violence occurs across all social strata and should not be exclusively associated with poverty. She noted that, in many cases, the aggressor is someone close to the victim, such as a neighbor or family member, and that economic dependence can condition reporting. The minister reported that, according to ICCA records, 184 complaints were received in 2024, 144 in 2025, and 67 so far in 2026.
Almeida concluded by emphasizing the need for a comprehensive approach to address the issue, including reinforcing existing laws, improving implementation, and promoting a culture of prevention and protection. She urged for a collective effort to combat the normalization of child-adult relationships and to ensure that victims receive the support and protection they need.
Key points
- Cabo Verde's Family Minister Adélcia Almeida emphasizes that relationships between children and adults are a form of sexual violence and a crime.
- The minister stresses the need for reinforced prevention, reporting, and protection of victims.
- Almeida calls for a collective effort to combat the normalization of child-adult relationships and ensure victims receive support and protection.
