BOSTON, Dec. 10, 2012—Two men were sentenced to prison in recent weeks after admitting their guilt in cases of sexual violence involving family members, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said.

On Nov. 29, PEDRO ALVAREZ (D.O.B. 12/3/64) of Boston’s South End pleaded guilty to multiple counts of rape of a child and indecent assault and battery for assaults on two young girls and one young boy in his extended family. Assistant District Attorney Alissa Goldhaber recommended that he serve eight to 10 years in state prison, followed by 10 years of probation upon his release.

Suffolk Superior Court Judge Judith Fabricant imposed six to nine years in prison with the recommended probation and several conditions of release recommended by Goldhaber: that he have no contact with the victims or witnesses in the case, that he have no unsupervised contact with any child under 16, that he enter and complete a sex offender treatment program selected by probation officers, that he undergo a mental health evaluation and any recommended treatment, and that he wear a GPS monitoring device. Under Massachusetts law, he must also submit a sample to the state’s DNA database and register as a sex offender.

On Dec. 6, LAWRENCE AHART (D.O.B. 2/20/58) of Dorchester pleaded guilty to two counts of rape and additional counts of indecent assault and battery and witness intimidation for assaulting an adult female family member and seeking to derail the prosecution of that assault by pressing her to sign an affidavit indicating that she didn’t wish to proceed with the case.

Suffolk Superior Court Judge Jeffrey Locke sentenced Ahart to eight to 10 years in state prison followed by five years of probation, the term recommended by Assistant District Attorney Gloriann Moroney. During his probation, Ahart must remain drug-free, wear a GPS monitoring device, and complete sex offender treatment. Like Alvarez, he must also submit a sample to the state’s DNA database and register as a sex offender.

“Cases of sexual violence, especially against family members, are some of the toughest we see as prosecutors,” Conley said. “Oftentimes those victims feel ashamed or blame themselves for the abuse they suffered. But we have a message for them: It’s not your fault. The victims in these cases put their faith in our office to speak for them in a voice they couldn’t find, and we’re grateful for the opportunity to do just that. Their strength, even at such young ages, was inspiring to all of us.”

Sexual assault can happen to any person of any age. While the victims of any crime are asked to call 911 in an emergency, the survivors of sexual violence in Suffolk County can also call the Boston Area Rape Crisis Center’s 24-hour hotline at 800-841-8371. The Boston Area Rape Crisis Center provides medical advocacy, legal services, counseling, and other services to victims of rape and sexual assault.

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All defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.