Accusing Father and Uncle as Sexual Assault Perpetrators
Devotes Over 30 Minutes of Live Broadcast to Reveal Victimization
Breaks Down in Tears, Struggles to Speak During Broadcast
An Argentine news anchor revealed past sexual abuse during a live broadcast and called for the abolition of the statute of limitations on child sexual abuse. On the 24th (local time), local daily newspapers La Nacion and Clarin reported that Juan Pedro Aleart, a famous TV news anchor in the Rosario area, said on last week's flagship news program of 'Canal 3,' "This is the first time I am sharing my story with viewers," and claimed, "I am a victim of child sexual abuse by my family."
Aleart devoted most of the 30-minute live broadcast to discussing the sexual abuse and violence he suffered starting at the age of six. He identified his father and uncle as the perpetrators. Aleart revealed that his father, who was diagnosed as HIV positive, that is, with Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), also sexually abused his younger sister. During the broadcast, Aleart was at times speechless and showed tears.
Juan Pedro Aleart, a famous TV news anchor in Argentina, confessed to being a victim of sexual assault last week on the flagship news program of 'Canal 3'. [Photo by Canal 3 X (formerly Twitter)]
Aleart added, "There are several other victims who are now adults," and said, "Although it may feel shameful to admit being a victim, I believe the only way to heal is to speak out and report the abuse." He also disclosed that he had filed a police complaint against his father and uncle before making the issue public.
It was reported that Aleart's father collapsed from shock after learning about the accusations. La Nacion reported that Aleart's uncle, who was a professor at the National University of Rosario, was suspended immediately after the broadcast. However, Clarin reported that some of those mentioned as victims protested, issuing statements claiming that "Aleart arbitrarily disclosed others' private lives."
Following this revelation, the local atmosphere largely supports Aleart. Local media reported that cases of people seeking help from civic groups to disclose their hidden past abuse are increasing. Legislative efforts to abolish the statute of limitations on child sexual abuse are also expected to accelerate.
This was also a matter Aleart requested of lawmakers during the broadcast, saying, "Truth always wins in the face of long-standing cruel acts." Under Argentine criminal law, the statute of limitations for sexual offenses is set at 12 years. In the case of child sexual abuse, a 2015 legal amendment known as the 'Victim Time Respect Law' established that the statute of limitations period is calculated from the time the victim files a complaint. However, due to insufficient regulations on retroactive application, judicial decisions vary on a case-by-case basis.
Sonia Almada, head of 'Aralma,' a civic group campaigning against child abuse in Argentina, emphasized in an interview with local media Pagina12 that "Child sexual abuse is not only harmful to victims at the time it occurs but is a persistent crime with lifelong consequences," and stressed, "It should not be subject to the statute of limitations, nor should it be allowed to be."
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