The alarming rate of children and teenagers being wounded or killed has prompted the Childhood and Adult Platform (PIAS) to sound the alarm. According to their survey, which spans from May 17, 2024, to February 25, 2025, a disturbing 19 homicides of minors have been recorded. Paula Baleato, a key figure in the platform, notes that focusing solely on 2025, there have been 14 instances of children and adolescents being shot, and one teenager murdered. Notably, this tally does not include the tragic case of a 6-year-old boy who succumbed to a gunshot wound to the head in Rivera. Baleato poignantly observes, “Either way, weapons and neglect are present.”
Under the poignant slogan “They are not lost bullets,” the Platform of Children and Adolescents, a collective of organizations dedicated to this cause, issues a public alert each time a child or teenager falls victim to gun violence. This initiative not only raises awareness but also underscores the urgency of addressing this issue. Baleato emphasizes the crucial need for organizations to quantify and understand the scope of this problem, which has previously been overlooked. The primary objective is to acknowledge the magnitude of the issue and identify its root causes. As Baleato astutely points out, “This is not a natural phenomenon; it’s a social and cultural one. There are underlying causes, and as a democratic state, it’s the government’s responsibility to ensure the safety and well-being of its citizens.” He further stresses, “We’re in a highly precarious situation when it comes to the welfare of our children.”
Given the gravity of this situation, organizations advocating for the rights and safety of children and adolescents are compelling the incoming government to devise a comprehensive plan aimed at reducing violence against minors. The platform’s demand is rooted in the belief that the country is indeed facing an emergency, one that necessitates immediate and effective action to protect its most vulnerable members. By highlighting these troubling statistics and the stories behind them, the hope is to galvanize a response that will lead to tangible change and a safer environment for all children and adolescents.
