10 April, 2012

LOS ANGELES REVIEW OF BOOKS | Letter from Guatemala

LOS ANGELES REVIEW OF BOOKS | Letter from Guatemala: The victims are mostly the “nobodies” of society, poor women, in many cases indigenous, from families lacking resources and education. Their bodies are often found mutilated, with indications of rape. Investigations are routinely botched, if they’re even pursued. “She was a prostitute,” a police investigator might say if the victim has a belly-button ring or is wearing a miniskirt. The investigation is closed before being opened.