Colombia: Update to Response to Information Request COL15505.E of 19 November 1993 on protection available to women and children who are victims of domestic violence
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 February 1995 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | COL19800.E |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Colombia: Update to Response to Information Request COL15505.E of 19 November 1993 on protection available to women and children who are victims of domestic violence, 1 February 1995, COL19800.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6ab4950.html [accessed 17 September 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
According to a research associate and editor of the legal journal of the Instituto Latinoamericano de Servicios Legales Alternativos (ILSA) in Bogota, there are still no shelters for women who are subject to domestic violence in Colombia (16 Feb. 1995). Since 1992, the Colombian government has implemented "Comisarías de la familia" (Family precincts) in the main urban centers like Bogota, Cali and Medellin. These comisarías are centers where women can register a complaint of domestic violence and receive a notice for an appointment to discuss the matter further with the staff (ibid.).
In Medellin, the municipal government with CERFAMI (Centro de Recursos Integrales para la Familia) has established a center that specializes in the treatment of rape and domestic violence against women (ibid.).
According to a sociologist and coordinator of the political section of the Casa de la Mujer in Bogota, six "Comisarías de la Familia" exist in Bogota (16 Feb. 1995). The comiserias' staff is composed of an interdisciplinary group of social workers, psychologists and lawyers who act as conciliators in cases of domestic violence (ibid.). Their power is limited since they can only issue a verbal reprimand to the abuser (ibid).
The representative of the Casa de la Mujer stated that the general situation regarding domestic violence in Colombia is very grave due to the high level of impunity that surrounds this issue and the absence of legal instruments with regard to the physical and psychological protection of victims (ibid.).
There is still no Government Ministry for Women nor any centers that deal with violence against children in Colombia (ibid.).
A bill named "Proyecto de ley de violencia intra-familiar" (domestic violence law) is still under discussion in the new congress following the victory of Ernesto Samper in the last Colombian presidental elections which took place on May 30 1994 (ibid.).
The bill adresses four main areas related to the issue of domestic violence: its prevention, the education, the "sensitizing" of families and society, and the legal sanctions aginst abusers (ibid.). The representative of the Casa de la Mujer stated that the sanctions chapter deals essentially with providing women with the means of protection against domestic violence and puts forward a categorization of mistreatments (physical, psychological and sexual).
The DIRB has received a copy, in Spanish, of the bill on domestic violence in Colombia.
This response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.
References
Casa de la Mujer. Bogota. 16 February 1995. Telephone interview with a representative.
Instituto Latinoamericano de Servicios Legales Alternativos. Bogota. 16 February 1995. Telephone interview with a research associate.
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