The Portugal child abuse scandal that shocked the entire world has finally seen some justice being meted out to the convicted. The victims had been young boys residing in Lisbon in the now infamous Casa Pia children’s home. The scandal had seen some well-known names brought up in media. And today 6 of the 7 accused were convicted. The judgment was meted out by a panel of 3 judges today.

The convicted 6 were-the former driver of Casa Pia, a 51yr old Carlos Silvino who is sentenced to 18 yrs of jail. He confessed to all the 639 charges levied against him. Silvino was accused of abusing the kids in Casa Pia & also selling them out to other men. The Portuguese TV presenter Carlos Cruz too was seneteced to 7yrs for being an accomplice in this heinous crime of child abuse.

The Casa Pia abuse case also saw 7yr jail term being lashed out at Joao Ferreira Diniz who is a doctor and a lawyer Hugo Marcal who got 6yrs & 2 months. A sentence of 5yrs & 9months was given to the ex-governor of Casa Pia where this scandal originated, Manuel Abrantes.

The one who got off in the Portugal child abuse case was Gertrudes Nunes who had allowed her Elvas house to be rented to these abusers. The judgment has gone down well with the convicts who had denied all the charges. “This is one of the most monstrous judicial mistakes in Portuguese history,” Cruz said, stating that its nothing but “lies and manipulation” that have been used as a “vendetta” against him.

The victims of the heinous child abuse crime have another story to tell. A victim Bernardo Teixeira felt very emotional and said-”I cannot believe we have finally reached this day,” he added. “It was very hard to be forced to go back in time and remember all those horrifying experiences.” Pedro Namora who helped expose the misdoings at Casa Pia said-”I hope this day will allow us to show the country that the boys have told the truth from the start.”

“These men have to be condemned, they committed barbarous crimes against humanity,” he added.

Another child victim Bernardo Tavares says-”It is difficult, but… when we hear our name linked to proven facts this gives us more strength. There is anxiety, tensions are running high in there, our seats are probably the hottest because we have waited many years for this day. It is one of the days we have most looked forward to, the day when finally justice will be done and when finally those who have committed crimes will be sentenced for them.”

The scandal which had rocked the nation had seen 800 witnesses and a whopping 32 victims had lasted for more than 5 yrs having first being exposed by Pedro Namora in 2002. The judge Ana Peres said- “Some of the accounts could be considered pornographic”.

The victims had undergone trauma & some were too distressed. The abuse undoubtedly left a permanent mark on their minds & no wonder the sentences were harsh on the accused. And this isn’t the only time Casa Pia’s name ahs been linked to a sex abuse case. Early in 2006 the Portuguese government had given an order to compensate 44 victims and asked casa Pia to pay upto £1.66m to them.

Such cases of child abuse makes us wonder what our society has come to. Casa Pia being such an old & reputed orphanage couldn’t provide ample protection to their wards. And what’s more shocking is that professionals like lawyers & doctors were involved in this crime. The Casa Pia child abuse judgment has brought relief to many & shown that crime doesn’t pay & hopefully should deter such heinous acts in future.