Original article: «Esto no es un error, es una elección»: feministas y sobrevivientes exigen a Kast destituir a Rabat por rebajas de penas a agresores sexuales

«This is not a mistake, it is a choice»: Feminists and Survivors Demand Kast to Dismiss Rabat Over Reduced Sentences for Sexual Offenders

«This is not a mistake, it is a choice,» was one of the slogans raised by members of feminist organizations and survivors during a protest held in front of the Ministry of Justice in Santiago, in rejection of the sentence reductions granted to sexual offenders during the administration of President José Antonio Kast.

During the massive demonstration, they demanded that the far-right president remove Justice Minister Fernando Rabat and Undersecretary, Luis Silva, who signed off on resolutions that benefited the convicted.

It is important to recall that the scandal shaking La Moneda erupted after Interferencia revealed that, between March 11 and September 13, 2026, the Ministry of Justice issued 27 decrees reducing sentences for sexual crimes against children and adolescents and another 29 for rape, and out of 57 requests examined, only one was rejected.

Isadora Castillo, spokesperson for the Chilean Network Against Violence Towards Women, demanded political accountability from the authorities involved in the 56 sentence reductions, considering the potential consequences for victims and their families.

In fact, an investigation by Bío Bío Chile identified 33 of these offenders who are currently free without their victims having been notified.

According to Gendarmería records, these are individuals with a high risk of reoffending, exhibiting “coldness”, lack of remorse for their crimes, and no empathy towards their victims.

«It is a choice that endangers women and girls»

Following widespread criticism, Kast acknowledged the seriousness of the controversy, which raised political questions and called into question the actions of the Ministry of Justice.

«There is no technical explanation, no legal criterion, nor any administrative procedure that can justify to a victim that their aggressor is released early from prison. None,» he stated.

However, Castillo made it clear that the decision to reduce sentences for sexual offenders was not a mistake.

«This is not a mistake, it is a choice, a choice that endangers society, but especially women and girls,” she stated, as reported by Diario Agricultura.

Castillo insisted on the political responsibility of those involved in approving the measure and noted that at least four officials from Kast’s administration, including the Minister of Justice, had intervened in granting the benefits, demanding their resignations.

She also warned that under the far-right government, both women and girls in Chile are not receiving the protection they need.

The leader expressed concern over the risk of reoffending among the convicted, considering that sexual crimes can occur within the family setting.

While feminists and survivors demand his resignation, Rabat is supported by Kast and faces a criminal complaint filed by deputies Luis Cuello (PC) and Juan Santana (PS) and the possibility of a constitutional accusation from the opposition.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p1RYWhLMmBE Protest video: https://x.com/T13/status/2115211331989086597?a=FQoMThyeo6qhtbaD8JU&s=20