The statistics on sexual crimes against minors are alarming. The figures presented at the first ordinary meeting of 2026 of the Mirror Subcommission of the National Commission for the Prevention of Crimes of Sexual Exploitation (CONAPREDES) leave no room for doubt. According to the statistics of registered complaints, the province of West Panama ranks second nationally, according to figures presented by prosecutor Librada Barrios, coordinator of the Sexual Crimes Section of this province. The cases are broken down into 3 of sexual exploitation, 38 of child pornography, 19 of possession of child pornographic material, and 2 of obscene or pornographic exhibitionism with minors. One case of exhibition of pornographic material to minors and 103 of corruption of minors. So far in 2026, two cases of sexual exploitation have been recorded in the province.
To try to curb the statistics, awareness-raising sessions are being held for primary school students in this province by the National Secretariat of SEPROVIT and the Unit for the Protection of Victims, Witnesses, Experts, and Other Participants in the Criminal Process (UPAVIT). One of the first groups has been fifth and sixth-grade students from the Colegio Corozales Adentro school in West Panama.
The objective is to generate awareness in the student population about the identification of risk situations, as well as to strengthen their self-protection abilities and timely access to reporting channels and institutional support. In these sessions, key topics are also addressed in a didactic manner, such as recognizing risky behaviors, personal protection strategies, and the mechanisms available to request help.
The vulnerability of children and adolescents in the province of West Panama to sexual aggressors is becoming increasingly evident.
