Story By: Juan Mayes, Sub-Editor: Joana Mihajlovska, Agency: Newsflash
A 10-year-old girl has given birth in Colombia and a state governor revealed the child is believed to have been raped since she was eight years old by either her stepfather or a 23-year-old building worker.
The young girl, who has not been named, is being kept at a medical centre in the city of Ibague in the Colombian department of Tolima. The girl is reported to be from the municipality of Prado in Tolima.
It is unclear when the birth occurred, however Tolima governor Ricardo Orozco told local media on 17th December that the 10-year-old mother had been caring for the baby for 26 days.

Following investigations, Orozco also revealed that the police suspect the girl was being raped since she was just eight years old, but it unclear by who.
The main suspects are the young victim’s 43-year-old stepfather and a 23-year-old man who works at the property where she lives, according to Orozco.
No further information was given and the current status of the investigation is unclear.

Women and girls are allowed access to legal abortions in Colombia if they become pregnant from an act of rape, if the birth poses danger to the mother, or if the foetus is physically deformed.
It is unclear why the child was not given access to a legal abortion.
Orozco also called on citizens to report any acts of sexual abuse or violence as many are not reported by the victims in order to protect family members who are commonly their aggressors.
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