A POLITICIAN is facing furious backlash after defending his son, 33, who allegedly raped a 12-year-old girl by saying "she had a woman's body".
The South American councillor even suggested he blamed the youngster's parents, saying they should have protected her better.
Ivan Roca, a member of the opposition right-wing Chilean Independent Democratic Union party, made the comments as part of a statement in defence of his son Jurgen Roca Aguayo, after he was remanded in custody accused of raping a girl.
After anger erupted online in response to his statement, the councillor of Lota, Chile, then went on to say it was a "shame that it was always the man that paid the price".
He added that while visiting his son in prison, he had formed the opinion it was a "tragedy" there were so many young men in there for the same reason.
Mr Roca decided to take to Facebook to address all parents of young girls, placing the blame on them for when people like son get accused of rape.
In the post, that has now gone viral, the councillor claims that despite her age the girl had a "woman's body" and that the parent of young girls "must control" their children better.
He appeared to be suggesting that young women should by chaperoned, saying that only with parents acting to carefully control them could "family suffering" be avoided.
The politician concluded that parents who do not follow this advice should be condemned for their own bad choices, and regarded as irresponsible
The ex-vice president of UDI, Isabel Pla Jarufe, responded to her former colleague's post stating: "He has a public responsibility as an official and his statements are unacceptable.
"He has attempted to make his 33-year old son a victim in a case where he raped a 12-year old girl."
In response to pressure from the public and other politicians, Mr Roca attempted to clarify his comments – saying his words had been "taken out of context".
He said he did not mean to say young girls should be "controlled", he meant they should be "guided".
The councillor told Eldesconcierto: "It's a shame what happened to my son, I just visited him in jail and it was full of young men just like him, detained for being with minors without thinking of the consequences beforehand.
"This feels very wrong to me regardless of whether the minor appeared older or not."
Speaking to the media outlet, Mr Roca continued to question the parents of young girls who he held responsible for letting their daughters meet older men and "behave irresponsibly".
He added that "it is only the man who pays the price for the crime as he is the one who goes to prison".
Ivan Roca's 33-year old son remains in detention awaiting trial.
A five-month time frame has been set for the completion of the investigation.
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