Violence and child sexual abuse: see the signs and learn how to protect children A man was sentenced to 14 years in prison, in a closed regime, and to pay a 17-day fine for raping his 13-year-old stepdaughter in Jaru (RO). The decision was taken by the Rondônia Court of Justice (TJRO), following an appeal by the State Public Ministry (MPRO). In the first sentence, the defendant had been acquitted because the judge understood that the evidence was not sufficient. The MP-RO appealed and, upon analyzing the case, the judges decided to convict. They highlighted that small changes in the victim's reports do not take away their credibility, as this is common in situations of sexual violence within the family. READ ALSO: Rondônia is among the seven states with an increase in violent deaths, according to the yearbook After being fired, a former employee breaks into a restaurant owner's house and is arrested The teenager's testimony was confirmed by other elements, such as specialized listening records, a report from the Psychosocial Care Center (CAPS), testimonies from family members and changes in the victim's behavior. After the abuse, she began to self-harm, isolate herself, feel afraid, change the way she dresses and avoid being alone with her stepfather. The TJRO also recognized that the defendant practiced “lascivious contemplation”, which means observing a child or adolescent with sexual intent, even without physical contact. Witnesses confirmed that the man took advantage of a crack in the bathroom door to look at the victim while he was taking a shower. Rape of a vulnerable person (illustrative image) Reproduction