Overview

• The apology follows a judge’s ruling that declared the Education Ministry criminally responsible for failing to protect children at the Marcelino de Champagnat preschool and ordered state reparations.
• At the Aug. 28 event, SEP vowed to support continued investigations with the child-rights ombuds office, launch mandatory training in schools, hold a Sept. 8 national awareness day, and seek a public registry to bar abusers from school jobs.
• Authorities report 57 complaints were filed with federal prosecutors in the case, with 18 resulting in sentences; only two individuals currently have convictions, including a 494-year term issued in 2021.
• Court-ordered reparations include monetary compensation to be covered jointly by the main offender and SEP, access to housing, educational scholarships for victims, labor support for indirect victims, and the public apology.
• Advocates stress the case reflects a wider problem, citing ODI documentation of abuse in preschools and REDIM data showing a sharp rise in reported sexual violence against children nationwide.