Peru's government is to investigate over 500 allegations of sexual abuse against children in the indigenous population.
The abuse is alleged to have been committed by teachers at public schools in a jungle region in northern Peru.
In total, 524 cases of rape and abuse have been reported by girls and boys from the Awajun indigenous community.
The crimes, which are said to have taken place at schools in the Condorcanqui region, are believed to have been ongoing since 2010 and were exposed in May by Rosemary Pioc, a representative of the Awajun women's association.
We must investigate the facts and we will support the victims. We reject all forms of sexual abuse, says the government's spokesperson Alberto Adrianzen to reporters.
The announcement of the government's investigation came after two ministers sparked widespread outrage by likening the alleged abuse to "cultural practices".
To say that this is a cultural practice is to condone these actions. Rape is not a practice in our society, says Rosemary Pioc to local radio.
Peru's human rights ombudsman demanded on Monday that teachers accused of abuse be immediately suspended from the schools where they teach.
