A social educator employed at Aldeas Infantiles de Redondela in Galicia received an 11-year prison sentence for sexually abusing a child under 13. He resided in a centralized house and exploited his role to gain the girl’s trust, building an emotional relationship that led to a sustained intimate contact while he continued to reside at the center. Incidents occurred during trips and in the homes of the center, including locations outside Galicia during journeys to Santiago de Compostela, Italy, and at the center’s residence. The center terminated the worker after the misconduct came to light.
The convicted individual had worked at the child protection facility since 2014. The actions described in the Pontenvedra regional court decision, issued by the Fifth Chamber and based in Vigo, occurred in 2019. The social educator, who maintained he was not guilty at the hearing, oversaw the residence where the victim lived under his guardianship, a responsibility entrusted by the Xunta NGO in Redondela.
In March 2019, the educator began displaying a friendlier approach toward the girl, offering more attention than other minors in the house. This shift allowed him to gain the victim’s trust, and the two engaged in sexual activity alone on several occasions, including an outing in the city of Santiago and subsequent incidents at the center and in their home in Arcade. Reports indicate that similar conduct occurred during trips in Vigo and while traveling abroad, with at least one episode taking place while the minor bathed in a bungalow during a travel period.
The girl’s expression is important
Judges described an accumulation of evidence that points to a sexual climate surrounding the relationship between the defendant and the victim. The student’s testimony provided detailed accounts of dates, places, and moments when the events occurred and did not show hostility toward the educator. In fact, the account suggested that the minor developed genuine feelings, expressing love and devotion toward the person in charge, before realizing she had been manipulated by the adult involved.
External corroboration also supported the finding, with testimony from witnesses who attended the hearing, including center staff and officials. A manager reported learning of a relationship after a trip to Porto and spoke directly with both parties. The educator allegedly claimed the situation was a misunderstanding born of the girl’s complaints. He advised the manager to separate himself from the minor, but the pattern continued, with reports that the two were seen wandering together or sharing a residence during overnight stays.
Additional staff described the educator as giving unusual attention to the minor and involving himself in an excessive manner. Communications that appeared on messages and photos, such as one showing two people partially covered, were cited as supporting evidence. The court ultimately issued a sentence of eight years of probation, a 15-year expulsion from the organization, and a compensation payment of 8,000 euros to the victim. The ruling is not yet final and remains subject to appeal.
This case highlights how trust and power dynamics can influence outcomes in child protection settings when adults exploit their professional authority. The court’s decision emphasizes the importance of safeguarding protocols, clear reporting channels, and the need for ongoing oversight of staff interactions with minors under protective care. It also underlines how the testimony of the victim, when provided in detail, can be a decisive factor in legal determinations and the evaluation of corroborating evidence from other witnesses and institutional records.
Ongoing attention to safeguarding measures within child protection centers remains critical to preventing abuse and ensuring that victims receive appropriate support and protection. Experts stress the value of transparent investigations, careful monitoring of staff behavior, and robust child welfare policies that discourage any conduct that could harm young people in care. Attribution: Source: Pontenvedra Regional Court Fifth Chamber decision, Vigo, Spain. Additional context is drawn from center records and official testimonies presented during the proceedings.