VIOLATION OF THE RIGHTS OF CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS, CUENCA 2009 – 2016 AND THEIR FAMILY PROFILE

Abstract

The family constitutes the essential space for educating, caring for, and protecting children and adolescents. However, not all families fulfill this role. On the contrary, some contribute to the violation and undermining of their rights, jeopardizing their physical and psychological integrity. For this reason, the present study aimed to analyze the profile of families of children and adolescents who are victims of rights violations to identify consistent patterns that might emerge. The exploration was carried out through secondary documentary research, based on the review of 9,411 complaints handled by the Cantonal Board for the Protection of Rights in Cuenca, Ecuador, covering the period from 2009 to 2016. Among the main findings, it was determined that mothers tend to be the primary perpetrators of rights violations in single-parent families composed of children and the female caregiver. In these cases, the father often occupies an absent role. Additionally, the educational levels of the caregivers are generally basic, and there is a tendency for employment in public or private sectors. The most prevalent risk factors identified were domestic violence, neglect, and economic difficulties. In conclusion, domestic violence stands out as a decisive factor in the violation of children’s and adolescents’ rights. Therefore, these factors can serve as key indicators of situations involving mistreatment and rights violations affecting children and adolescents.