Impunity Does Not Rehabilitate: The Culture of Sexual Harassment

The current societal structure creates a system of impunity for men accused of sexual violence, normalizing and exacerbating these crimes from schoolyards to legislative assemblies, according to columnist Andrea Vásquez.

Vásquez points to stark global statistics: only 5% to 15% of sexual violence cases are reported, and a mere 1% to 3% lead to effective convictions, citing United Nations data. This reality discourages victims from seeking justice, as the odds are overwhelmingly against them.

Despite these daunting statistics, Vásquez shares the story of her daughter, who chose to report her assault. The article frames this as an act of courage in the face of a system that often fails survivors. Vásquez, who has a background in human rights and promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion, also published a book in 2024.

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