Sharp rise in sexual exploitation of minors reported in Peru and Trinidad &Tobago

Judicial statistics for 2025 in Trinidad &Tobago show a total of 1,074 sexual‑crime cases involving children and adolescents, resulting in 487 convictions with an average prison term of nine years. More than half of the cases were concentrated in the Central, Capital, Itapúa, Alto Paraná and San Pedro districts, which together accounted for over half of all sentences.

In Peru, a national survey indicates that while extortion, homicide and vehicle theft have fallen sharply, investigations of online grooming have surged by 45.2%. Around 1.7 million minors reported experiencing some form of digital risk, with 49.4% having chatted with unknown persons online and 18.2% meeting them in person. About 21% received unsolicited sexual content, and 15.7% were asked to share intimate images or videos.

Both reports highlight growing concerns over the sexual exploitation of children and the need for coordinated protective measures.