Peru proposes chemical castration for rapists

Peru's government has proposed to apply chemical castration to rapists after an attack on a three-year-old girl shocked the country at the start of Holy Week. "We reiterate our condemnation and demand the maximum sanctions on those who attack our children," said President Pedro Castillo at an event in Lima to burn drugs seized by police. Castillo is canvassing for lawmakers' support ahead of the bill's arrival at the country's Congress.

The chemical castration procedure consists of administering drugs which reduce libido and inhibit sexual desire, the president has said. Russia, the United States (seven states), Poland, South Korea, Indonesia and Moldova were cited as examples where similar measures are already in place. The kidnapping followed by the rape of a three-year-old girl occurred last week in Chiclayo, a coastal city in northern Peru. After capturing the suspect, police found the girl bound with duct tape in a house where she was being held.