Prison for sex offenders of minors in El Salvador

The Legislature of El Salvador hardened the punishment for those who sexually assault minors. The measure seeks that the aggressors receive 8 to 12 years in prison. In turn, those who are public officials and commit the crime will be disqualified from their position. The reform of three articles of the Criminal Code was supported by 73 deputies out of a total of 84 votes. The discussion of this initiative arose from the case of magistrate Jaime Escalante, who was accused of touching the genitals of a 10-year-old girl. While still under arrest at his home, the magistrate asked the journalists to give him the benefit of the doubt about his innocence and described the accusation against him as "a rogue." Without the reform, the law would continue to classify such acts as a fault punishable by the payment of a fine. That is why the deputies intend to fill the legal vacuum of the Criminal Code and trust that President Nayib Bukele signs the document so that it becomes law.