WILLEMSTAD - The number of victims of sex offenses on Curaçao has more than doubled in a year, director Milouska Everitz of the Victim Support Foundation announced on Monday.
In 2020, eight victims of sex offenses were registered with the foundation throughout the year. This year, the number has already risen to 17 by August.
The Victim Support Foundation provides assistance and guidance to victims of a criminal offence. Everitz gave a presentation to parliament on Monday to explain domestic and relational violence in Curaçao. She spoke of a "drastic increase that requires all the attention."
It was also indicated that it does not only concern female victims. There are currently only shelters on Curaçao where women, possibly with children, can go.
Everitz emphasized that in the near future work will be done on shelters where male victims can also be accommodated.