Tunja students protest alleged sexual harassment at INEM school

Students in Tunja, Colombia, have launched protests following an alleged sexual harassment case involving a 15-year-old student and a Spanish teacher at the INEM Carlos Arturo Torres educational institution. Demonstrators from several schools, including Silvino Rodríguez and El Libertador, have gathered near the school to demand protection, thorough investigations, and better support for victims of abuse.

The administration of INEM Carlos Arturo Torres confirmed that it received the complaint on September 15, 2026. In response, the institution activated school coexistence protocols and provisionally relieved the accused teacher of all direct teaching duties. The school stated it is coordinating with judicial authorities and child protection agencies while maintaining the privacy of the individuals involved to respect legal protections.

Various government entities, including the Colombian Family Welfare Institute (ICBF), the Secretary of Education, and the Secretary of Women, are currently intervening and monitoring the situation. While additional allegations of potential misconduct have surfaced, authorities noted these must be verified individually to determine if they are linked to the current investigation.