Outrage as rape victim aged just 13 denied abortion in Mexico as attack was 'consensual'
A 13-YEAR-OLD rape victim has been denied an abortion in Mexico - because a judge believed the sex attack that lead to her pregnancy was “consensual”.
The girl was denied an abortion despite medical evidence backing up her story
Even with medical evidence backing up the girl’s claim she was sexually assaulted, the judge refused the accusation of rape and instead found her attacker only guilty of “illegal sex with a minor”.
The judge conceded the man had gained the girl’s consent through deception but ignored physical evidence pointing towards a far greater crime.
Due to the decision, the girl has been denied the right to an abortion - because only rape-based or dangerous pregnancies are exempt from a ban on abortions in Mexico.
Instead, the 13-year-old will be forced to give birth to the baby - infuriating women’s rights groups and abortion campaigners.
Regina Tamés of abortion pressure group GIRE said: “This is important in terms of the criminal investigation, but should not affect access to legal termination.
An anti-rape protest in Mexico City in 2011
“She was the victim of a sexual assault, and, as such, it is irrelevant what the judge considers to be a crime or not. There is no legal impediment preventing the authorities from supporting her.”
The girl, named only as Citlali, was attacked by an acquaintance of her father in her own home while on her school holidays.
The attack took place in Sonora in the north of Mexico
She told family members who immediately took her to the police station, where a prosecutor charged her attacker with rape after listening to her story and taking medical evidence.
Rape, especially of minors, is a major problem in Mexico. A study by the government found that 40 per cent of victims were aged 14 or under, with the vast majority of attacks taking place in the child’s home.