Date of Award
5-2022
Document Type
Capstone
Degree Name
Bachelor of Arts (BA)
Department/Program
International Crime and Justice
Language
English
First Advisor or Mentor
Yuliya Zabyelina
Second Reader
Andrew Sidman
Abstract
Sextortion is a form of corruption involving sexual exploitation, in which requests for monetary bribes are replaced by requests for sexual acts. Within Latin America, this crime is especially pertinent in Guatemala. Therefore, this study aims to identify which factors contribute to the occurrence of sextortion within Guatemala, while also analyzing the larger realm of violence against women. Based on semi-structured interviews with local experts and civil society activists, this study argues that sextortion is enabled by deficiencies within Guatemalan criminal justice institutions when detecting and prosecuting this crime. In order to effectively counter sextortion, more emphasis needs to be placed on bridging the gaps in legislation that fail to comprehensively criminalize sextortion, addressing barriers faced by victims when reporting the crime, eradicating the patriarchal ideology of the machista culture, increasing societal awareness regarding this crime, and providing sufficient resources and cadres for victims, law enforcement agents, judges, and civil society organizations.
Recommended Citation
Bolotovsky, Julia A., "Deficiencies Within Guatemalan Criminal Justice Institutions When Detecting and Prosecuting Sextortion Crimes" (2022). CUNY Academic Works.
https://academicworks.cuny.edu/jj_etds/219