Peru student assault scandal sparks debate over violence at schools

As the United States reckons with the fallout of the Cornell University rape scandal, Peru has been rocked by its own controversy over sexual abuse at the Liceo Naval, a prestigious Naval school in Lima.

Authorities initiated an investigation into the school after a boy was allegedly sexually assaulted by classmates on a school bus on September 15. In total, 80 cases of violence have been recorded over the past two years, according to Minister of Education José Antonio Chang.

The scandal at the school, which was under the authority of the Ministry of Defense, has provoked a larger conversation about institutional violence in Peru and a lack of safeguards for children.

The scandal at Liceo Naval

The alleged assault occurred on Tuesday, September 15, on a school bus returning from a soccer match. The short ride ended in a horrific incident for a 16-year-old student, who reported being sexually abused with a broomstick by a group of six classmates.

Lima’s Third Family Court ordered four months of pre-trial detention for the six suspects involved. Because of their age, they cannot be tried as adults and are instead subject to Peru’s juvenile legal framework.

The court ordered their transfer to the Maranguita Juvenile Assessment and Rehabilitation Center in Lima. Under current regulations, the maximum penalty for serious sexual offenses committed by minors is six years in a juvenile facility.

Three teachers are also under investigation for alleged neglect, failure to report a crime and complicity.

Addressing this case, the President of the Republic Keiko Fujimori reaffirmed the government’s commitment to “ensuring that discipline prevails at this school and that something like this never happens again”.

The government announced on September 18 a complete restructuring of the school’s educational management. As part of this reorganization, management of the school will be transferred from the Ministry of Defense to the Ministry of Education until December 31, 2027.

Despite this measure, parents and students took to the streets on September 20 to demand justice for the victim, warning that bullying and systemic abuse remain widespread within the institution.

The school’s response

On September 16, the administration at the Liceo Naval released a statement announcing that safety protocols had been activated and that the school would fully cooperate with the official investigation.

However, local media outlets revealed that school officials had repeatedly ignored previous warnings, and allowed initial incidents to go unpunished.

The Minister of Education revealed in an exclusive interview with the El Comercio newspaper that the institution had recorded 80 incidents of violence over the past two years, 30 of which were committed by school personnel.

The minister emphasized that in many situations, parents avoid reporting due to fear, highlighting a pattern of inaction against ongoing abuse.

Under the previous regulations , students accused of sexual misconduct could remain in the same classroom as their alleged victims rather than face expulsion. As a result of the scandal, it is set to change under new disciplinary guidelines proposed by Peru’s Ministry of Education on October 12, 2026, which allow for separating students who commit serious offences from their classrooms.

On September 21, the Commander-in-Chief of the Navy issued a statement expressing solidarity with the victim and his family, and condemning all forms of violence.

Institutional shortcomings

Peru continues to lack a well-defined system and the institutional capacity to address school violence, specifically cases of sexual abuse, in a context where sex education remains far from being a political priority as it is still in its early stages.

A 2026 analysis by Peru’s Observatorio de la Educación Peruana found that sexuality education was already being implemented “fragmentally and with insufficient capacity”.

Data from the Ministry of Education’s SíseVe portal reveals that 16,550 cases of school violence were reported nationwide between January and September 2026. Of these, 2,907 involved sexual abuse, 7,315 physical violence, and 6,328 psychological harm.

In Metropolitan Lima alone, 5,845 incidents were documented, with 4,479 involving violence between students. Over 65% of these cases occurred at the secondary school level.

Speaking to Latin America Reports, the former director of the Maranguita Juvenile Assessment and Rehabilitation Center in Lima, Cristian Solano Melo, suggested this type of violence is on the rise.

“Numerous studies indicate that antisocial behavior is on the rise, driven by factors such as an inadequate education system, poor regulation, and a lack of family guidance”.

The specialist also emphasized that this controversial case has exposed a deeper, far-reaching issue: adolescents are increasingly exposed to violent behavior.

He said the government must work to better protect students.

“As a matter of public policy, the state must focus on prevention, early detection, and an immediate response to these cases of antisocial behavior,” he explained.

On October 12, Keiko Fujimori’s government announced the return of student expulsions for serious misconduct.

However, for Cristian Solano, the new measure is merely a quick fix rather than a long-term solution to the problem.

Beyond deciding how severely the alleged students should be punished, the challenge for Peru’s educational system is ensuring that warning signs are addressed before violence escalates and that victims receive comprehensive, specialized medical and psychological care.

Solano argued work must begin on three fundamental fronts: “First, prevention, what we do to reduce these incidents; second, proper case management and appropriate sanctions; and third, which is vital, treatment for both victims and perpetrators”.

“Families must also assume their role as a key element in education. It is an interconnected chain of actions,” he concluded.

Featured image description: Liceo Naval Almirante Guise.

Featured image credit: Liceo Naval Almirante Guise via Facebook.

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