The group once again called the attention on the insecurity exacerbated by armed gangs in the country and urged for actions to address this scourge.

MARIJAN stated that women, girls, and boys of all ages, and to a lesser extent men, are victims of extremely violent sexual crimes every day. A MARIJAN official explained that gangs use this strategy to instill fear among victims.

Criminal groups also use sexual violence as a weapon to destroy the social fabric, attacking women and girls who cross front lines or commute daily between neighborhoods, on foot or by public transportation.

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