Survivor Group Meets with Community Advocates in Guatemala
Violence Against Women and Children
Since 2023, the Local Protection Network (RPL by its Spanish acronym) has been operating in Quetzaltenango, one of the regions with the highest levels of violence in western Guatemala. In this area, RPL volunteers support women and children who have experienced sexual or physical violence. They assist victims in interacting with public institutions and other service providers within the community. Currently, the RPL is supporting 17 women and children.
Members of the RPL are men and women previously recognized as leaders within their community. To better serve those in need, they go through an IJM-led training that helps them understand the criminal justice process. This training equips them to lead, advise and accompany victims as they seek justice.
IJM also trains RPL members on how to help victims of violence access the services available in their communities. As part of the training, volunteers also learn how to treat victims with sensitivity, which positively impacts how supported victims and survivors feel as they seek justice and psychosocial services. To date, IJM has trained 27 advocates in Quetzaltenango.
RPL volunteers have the potential to not only guide victims of violence but also to make them feel valuable and cared for. It was crucial for them to meet with Mi Historia Importa (My Story Matters), a group of survivors who have experienced physical or sexual violence and have faced challenges accessing justice institutions and support services. The survivors’ first-hand insights helped the volunteers understand how victims feel during the process of seeking justice. For the members of Mi Historia Importa, this meeting was an opportunity to advocate for better access to justice for Guatemalan women and children living in poverty.
During the meeting, both groups exchanged ideas and learned from one another. Rosa Vicente, an RPL member, emphasized the importance of having these conversations in rural areas, where women are even more vulnerable to abuse: “This is important for rural communities like ours, and especially because our women suffer more violence. Besides, they suffer in silence.”
Rosa’s remarks highlight the reality that women in rural areas face. They often walk long distances to access potable water and other necessities and are therefore typically at a higher risk of being abused along the way. Moreover, in many rural communities, certain cultural norms are perceived as socially acceptable, despite being harmful to children and women.
During the meeting, Doris Z., a member of My Story Matters, shared encouraging words to the RPL members: “I want to acknowledge your bravery. You might not have experienced violence, but you’re here walking alongside those who are experiencing darkness. Thank you for raising your voice for those in fear and uncertainty.”
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About International Justice Mission Canada
International Justice Mission Canada is part of a global organization that protects vulnerable persons from violence. IJM partners with local authorities in 31 program offices in 16 countries to combat slavery, violence against women and children, and police abuse of power against vulnerable persons. IJM works to rescue and support victims, hold perpetrators accountable and help strengthen public justice systems.