Blog

In the grand scheme of things, the work of Peace and Hope (Paz y Esperanza) teams to intervene on behalf of survivors of violence–and accompany and support their recovery–is a drop in the bucket. The need is immense. And the injustices we confront such as sexual violence against children continue to victimize many more every day. It is crucial for us and our partners to also focus on prevention strategies that seek to address root causes. One aspect of these prevention strategies are the Children & Teens Protection networks, organized and facilitated locally by Paz y Esperanza with the International Justice Mission (IJM) as a part of the *Libres para Servir* (Free to Serve) National Network in Peru.

This week these local networks launched the  “Warmakuna Koshi – We Are With You” advocacy campaigns in Huánuco (central) and Apurímac (southern) Peru. The primary goal of this important initiative is to strengthen protective measures and access to justice for children and teens in the region who have survived sexual violence. The official launch featured the active participation of representatives from the Superior Court of Justice, the Peruvian National Police, Warmiñan, the Ombudsman’s Office, and various local social organizations.

The campaign’s name was created by community members themselves and incorporates words from Quechua, Shipibo-Konibo, and Spanish. Its meaning—“Strong child and adolescent, we are with you”—expresses the communities’ commitment to the protection, support, and restoration for those who have survived sexual violence.

This campaign brings to light specific shortcomings identified by community members—such as reporting failures, communication barriers, a lack of follow-up, and non-compliance with protection measures—that leave survivors of sexual violence unprotected by the system. As a part of a comprehensive advocacy plan running until September 2027, supported by IJM and Paz y Esperanza, we are seeking public awareness and sustained dialogues with authorities. Through a collaborative initiative, community women leaders are reaffirming their steadfast commitment to prevention and to building safer environments for children and teens across Peru.

¡Unidos por una vida libre de violencia!