Women migrants assaulted trying to get to US
At least 400 women and children have been treated this year by Doctors Without Borders after they were raped in tents set up specifically to abuse migrants in the notorious Darien Gap, a bombshell new report has revealed.
In October alone, 107 rape survivors, including 59 people in a single week, were treated by the organization.
The youngest victims were 11, 12, and 16.
'A 100-kilometer stretch of wilderness known as one of the most dangerous migrant crossings in the world - people report being subjected to kidnappings and rape in tents set up for that purpose,' Doctors Without Border said last week.
An estimated 460,000 migrants have crossed the Darien Gap so far this year in hopes of making it to the US.
Earlier this month, a caravan made of 7,000 migrants made its way through the treacherous pathway.
Armed groups of men demand money from migrants - most of whom have already spent their lives' savings just to make the trip north - just for being allowed through the Darien Gap.
Those who can't pay are subjected to abuse ranging from unwanted touching to rape in front of other migrants or in tents set up to assault victims.
One rape happens every three hours, and doctors believe they don't know the full scope of the problem, as many victims don't come forward.
The organization is only counting the victims who seek medical attention once they exit the Darien Gap in Panama.
'How can you survive five rapes,' a tearful Venezuelan women, whose name was withheld, told the organization.
'We crossed the jungle looking for a better future -not for our lives to end,' she said. 'A snake does not end your life. Your life is ended by the men inside the jungle who rape and kill.'
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The UN probably should be tasked with protecting migrants in this area and dealing with the thugs responsible for the abuse.
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