han violentado sus cuerpos

English translation: [both she and her daughter were beaten and] physically violated

15:43 Apr 5, 2017
Spanish to English translations [PRO]
Social Sciences - Journalism / Report on investigation into police corruption
Spanish term or phrase: han violentado sus cuerpos
Hello all,
This is a phrase used in a report on the police corruption and the attacks on a community worker.
They are speaking about what was done to the victim and her daughters and I wasn't sure if the above phrase meant they were physically assaulted or whether they were raped. The reason I ask is because there are also additional phrases used such as: 'han agredido su integridad', 'han agredido su cuerpo.'

Does anyone know which is correct within the context below?
“Fuerzas de seguridad privada y la policía han golpeado a Máxima, le han agredido; le han golpeado, han agredido su cuerpo, su integridad en el año 2016 y en anteriores oportunidades. A ella, a su hija, han golpeado, han violentado sus cuerpos.”

Many thanks in advance,
Nathalie
Nathalie Wilson
English translation:[both she and her daughter were beaten and] physically violated
Explanation:
To me, the fact that they distinguish between the treatment of the men and the women would indicate that the women were violated in some way--possibly not rape. 'Violate' is more vague. It's approximately the same in both languages (see Linguée)--usually meaning rape but not always.

From Merriam-Webster definition of 'violate':

to do harm to the person or especially the chastity of; specifically : to commit rape on *violate a woman*

It doesn't say that rape is the only form of violence, though it's commonly assumed to be the case.
Selected response from:

Muriel Vasconcellos
United States
Local time: 10:39
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4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
3 +2[both she and her daughter were beaten and] physically violated
Muriel Vasconcellos


Discussion entries: 3





  

Answers


3 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +2
[both she and her daughter were beaten and] physically violated


Explanation:
To me, the fact that they distinguish between the treatment of the men and the women would indicate that the women were violated in some way--possibly not rape. 'Violate' is more vague. It's approximately the same in both languages (see Linguée)--usually meaning rape but not always.

From Merriam-Webster definition of 'violate':

to do harm to the person or especially the chastity of; specifically : to commit rape on *violate a woman*

It doesn't say that rape is the only form of violence, though it's commonly assumed to be the case.

Muriel Vasconcellos
United States
Local time: 10:39
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 52
Grading comment
Selected automatically based on peer agreement.

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Charles Davis: I think this is a good solution. It could mean rape; I have seen "violentar" used to mean that in Peru.
12 hrs
  -> Thank you, Charles! I'm honored.

agree  Steph Noviss: There is also the option of "physically abused" but I think in all likelihood it may well be referring to rape - I agree that "violated" is the best solution given the context.
5 days
  -> Thank you, Steph!
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