IJINHA

NEWS CENTER – In Perú, one of the world's worst countries for femicide and violence against women, women have collected the final letters that abusive men sent to their partners.

The group Vida Mujer, which provides services to women experiencing violence, released the book, called "Don't Die For Me" ("No te mueras por mi") to show the danger of the "sweet side" of abusers that often keeps women trapped in abusive situations, said Vida Mujer psychologist and book editor Nelly Cancion, speaking to AFP.

"Nearly all the women we help are torn over whether to leave their partners. Even though they are living situations of extreme violence. That's what the book depicts. After the letter comes the dark part they have to live," Nelly said.

70% of Peruvian women experienced physical or sexual violence in 2012 and in the last six years, there have been 680 femicides by women's partners in the country. Gendered violence has a long history in Peru; the Peruvian army, in its long war against guerrillas in the country, practiced rape and forced sterilization widely in indigenous regions of the country.

"I swear it will never happen again. You are the love of my life. FORGIVE ME," wrote the partner of a woman named Raquel. Five weeks later, after Raquel took him back, he beat her to death.

The book collects 25 notes, letters, text messages and emails.

(cm)