Acid Attacks on Women in Colombia?????

[Brazilophile]

I just read an article in the Washington Post about women in Colombia being attacked by having acid thrown in their faces.  The article suggested that this type of attack is rising rapidly in frequency.  I can hardly believe it!

Can those who are on the ground in Colombia comment on this?  Are these types of attacks being publicized in the local media?  Have any of you heard such anecdotes from friends or acquaintances?  Thanks.

[MariaJBueno]

I have only heard about it once really.. It was during a Colombian beauty pageant back in 2010.

Here is the story..
http://www.elmundo.es/america/2010/06/13/colombia/1276464337.html

[Brazilophile]

I have only heard about it once really.. It was during a Colombian beauty pageant back in 2010.

Here is the story..
http://www.elmundo.es/america/2010/06/13/colombia/1276464337.html

Thanks for the link.  As I understand it, you live in Colombia.  So you are not reading of a spike in these types of attacks?  DO you think they are not being publicized or not occurring as frequently as the WP article implies? 

[MariaJBueno]

Honestly it is the only one that came to mind. I am sure this incident got a this much publicity because most Colombians become glued to this event. I am not surprised that this was not the first time nor was it the last that a woman got hurt is such a cruel way. The motive of these attacks are out of envy or jealousy.

[MariaJBueno]

  Well I found another report.. on BBC mundo
Like I imagined, 55 was amount of women attacked by acid in 2010 and 42 on 2011. (copycats) and so far this year 20 attacks..  and hospitals are the only reason there is record it, because most likely they will not be reported to the police in fear of retaliation. Yet there is a support group of almost 100 women from 2012 alone..  I guess most of these attacks do not get any publicity at all and most of the criminals get away with it all. There has been reports from all places in the country.
This is not wild hunt on women these attacks have motives. Angry jealous husbands or wives due to cheating or envious women.
Here is the link.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/mundo/noticias/2012/05/120518_colombia_ataques_acido_aw.shtml

[Brazilophile]

WOW!  Thanks, Maria.

So it seems there is merit to the WP article.  To me, more than a handful of such horrendous attacks in one year is WAY too many.  Dozens per years is mind boggling to me.  This serious problem should be getting much more publicity.

[MariaJBueno]

The victims will not come forward for sure due to embarrassment or the fear retaliation. Who knows maybe they were involved in shady circumstances that if exposed to the media it would bring in more pain. Who knows.  It is known in Colombia that people involved in this sort of criminal events were simply involved with the wrong people or were simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. But I assure you there is no alert going on that women have become a target of some sort. Know what I mean?

[Brazilophile]

It is known in Colombia that people involved in this sort of criminal events were simply involved with the wrong people or were simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. But I assure you there is no alert going on that women have become a target of some sort. Know what I mean?

So these attacks are not at all random.  That is reassuring is a perverse sense.  I guess if one doesn't troll in the gutter, one doesn't get covered with feces or acid. 

[MariaJBueno]

This is not random at all.  And I think it has nothing to do with being in the wrong part of town .. I think it is more about messing with the wrong pal or gal!! It is retaliation act.