Colombian Vice President Shows Support for Alleged Abuse Victim

Colombian Vice President Marta Lucia Ramirez is requesting an investigation into rape allegations lodged against a member of the Cesar Police Department in Valledupar.

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A female police lieutenant was allegedly attacked by a high-ranking official during the department’s holiday party. After reporting the incident, police authorities allegedly failed to act, forcing the unnamed victim to go public with her story of abuse.

The officer told Noticias Uno that her superior took away her cell phone, forced her into a vacant room, and proceeded to rape her. The alleged victim suffered injuries across her body, hands, legs, and genitals which confirm the sexual abuse.

The woman’s lawyer, Nixon Forero, said his client went immediately to her captain and subcommander to report the incident, both advised her to drop the issue.

"They suggested that he not denounce, because it would be a scandal for the institution," said Forero, adding that the female lieutenant did just the opposite, going to the Prosecutor’s Office with the facts and medical reports to fight the case.

The victim, who was newly hired to the force, said, “I am alone and it is very hard to fight against an institution that is worried about scandal. As it happened to me, it can happen to anyone.”

From Twitter, Ramirez showed her support, denouncing the abuse, “To the police director general, General Oscar Atehortua, and the inspector of the institution, Colonel Rodriguez, we ask to investigate as soon as possible and act immediately. Any case of harassment in that institution is unnacceptable.”

A disciplinary investigation has been opened to gather any evidence against the 30-year-old assailant, who continues to deny any relations with his alleged victim and even countered the allegations, filing a slander complaint against her.