Colombia finally cracks down on a horrific wave of acid attacks against women
Simeon Tegel
on Jan 20, 2016 @ 6:00 AM
LIMA, Peru Colombia is finally taking action against what may be the most intense wave of horrific acid attacks on women anywhere in the world.
President Juan Manuel Santos on Monday signed a new law that closes a legal loophole that often allowed attackers to get away scot-free. Official figures acknowledge 628 victims, but womens rights activists believe the true toll may be far higher.
Under the new law, anyone using any kind of chemical agent to physically harm another person will receive a minimum sentence of 12 years behind bars. If the victim is permanently disfigured, the sentence will be up to 50 years.
Colombias wave of acid attacks is a relative anomaly in Latin America, where the tactic remains rare despite entrenched sexism and high levels of violence against women across the region. Perpetrators are overwhelmingly men, while victims are mostly women.
More:
http://www.globalpost.com/article/6722130/2016/01/19/colombia-finally-cracks-down-horrific-wave-acid-attacks-against-women