Tragedy in Guatemala

Nearly two dozen young girls living at a home for abused teenagers and children were killed in Guatemala yesterday. They died on International Women's Day. The Wednesday fire came hours after a Tuesday night riot and failed escape attempt. Authorities are investigating which residents set mattresses on fire, presumably causing the 22 deaths.

Over six hundred young girls are residents of Hogar Virgen de la Asunción in San Jose Pinula, a city twenty-five miles southwest of the capital. The government set up this home in order to take care of young female victims of physical and psychological violence. Unfortunately, the shelter has not always lived up to its mission.

In recent years, reports emerged that the girls were poorly treated and even recruited into sex and drug trafficking. UNICEF suggested three months ago that the shelter be closed. More stories are now emerging. As a foster parent to two young girls, it pains me to see these young victims further victimized at the shelter. Their deaths are a tragic reminder that the Guatemalan state has failed to invest in and protect its young people, especially young women.