Case of harassment in a musical group shocks Peru; singer files complaint

The images of the moment became public and are outraging Peruvians. The situation created a wave of solidarity with the singer on social media, where a conviction for the suspect is also called for.

It all happened during the band's rehearsals. Naldy was leaving the bathroom when César Sánchez Chavesta, the orchestra's musical director, began to grab her, forcing a kiss and grabbing her chest.

The images were recorded on June 18, highlights El Pais, and were made public shortly afterwards. The singer filed a complaint the day after recording. Naldy reports that the now public case is not a single episode, but rather the culmination of successive attempts at sexual abuse by César Sánchez Chavesta.

“Warning: the following images may inherit your sensitivity. Escándalo in Peruvian cumbia, singer, denunciation, abuse and manosis by band director#NaldySaldaña #LaBellaLuz #CumbiaPeruana #Perú #NoticiasPerú #Escándalo #MilagrosNo pic.twitter.com/vj1aGP7tbF

"It wasn't the first time. That month, I started avoiding going to the bathroom. He always tried to touch me when I passed him", reveals the 26-year-old.

Without support, singer abandoned project

The singer, who had been with the La Bella Luz orchestra for three years, says she expected a firm response from the group after her complaint, however this did not happen and, a month later, she decided to leave the project herself.

"They told me that this would pass and that I would be able to overcome the situation", he reveals, lamenting the position of his co-workers. It should be noted that César is the founder and owner of the band.

A post shared by NALDY SALDAÑA (@saldananaldy)

Only after the images were released did the orchestra announce Sánchez Chavesta's indefinite leave of absence.

Complaint led to the cancellation of several events

Naldy's complaint has already had an impact on several of the band's projects.

Del Barrio Producciones announced the cancellation of a series inspired by the story of La Bella Luz and explained that it cannot continue with a production based on the orchestra, while a person targeted in a complaint of this nature continues to be part of it. The company stated that it maintains a zero tolerance policy towards harassment and reaffirmed its commitment to protecting victims and respecting due legal process.

The program "Mande quien mande", on América Televisión, which had organized a reality show to find the new singer of La Bella Luz, also decided to temporarily cancel the casting.

"We ask that the investigations be carried out to the end. No one has the right to suffer any type of harassment, much less to remain silent. Thank God that this young woman was able to gather evidence to show the world what this unfortunate man was doing", said Tula Rodríguez, one of the presenters.