Mexico: Recourse and protection available to a female victim of violence and harassment by her boyfriend in Xalapa, Veracruz; whether the police ask for a credible witness and proof of physical attack to initiate an investigation; whether the police will register a complaint even though the woman has no proof of physical attack nor a credible witness; whether a woman would receive a copy of the complaint from the police (2001-2003)
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 10 October 2003 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | MEX42029.E |
| Reference | 1 |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Mexico: Recourse and protection available to a female victim of violence and harassment by her boyfriend in Xalapa, Veracruz; whether the police ask for a credible witness and proof of physical attack to initiate an investigation; whether the police will register a complaint even though the woman has no proof of physical attack nor a credible witness; whether a woman would receive a copy of the complaint from the police (2001-2003), 10 October 2003, MEX42029.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/403dd2044.html [accessed 17 September 2023] |
| Comments | Corrected Feb 06 |
| 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. |
In 6 October 2003 correspondence, a lawyer and auxiliary worker (visitador auxiliar) with the Directorate for the Assistance of Women, Vulnerable Groups, and Victims (Direccion de Atencion a Mujeres, Grupos Vulnerables y Victimas) of the State Commission for Human Rights in Veracruz (Comision Estatal de Derechos Humanos de Veracruz) provided the following information.
When a woman has a crime committed against her, she can file a formal complaint (denuncia) before the corresponding public ministry (ministerio publico) that has the authority to investigate crimes committed against any person. The investigation of the reported offence begins with the collection of sufficient proof of the crime committed, including expert and forensic medical examinations, in order to determine the responsibility of the suspected person. The public ministry registers complaints even when no proof of physical attacks are found, and the person reporting a complaint receives a number corresponding to the ministry's preliminary investigation (averguacione previa), which can be used to request follow-up information about the case in question.
In 8 October 2003 correspondence, a deputy attorney (subprocuradora) with the Defence Attorney for Minors, the Family and the Indigenous (Procuraduria de la Defensa del Menor, la Familia y el Indigena) for the state of Veracruz provided some information about the recourse available to a woman who has been harassed or attacked by her boyfriend. The attorney stated that the woman could contact the Specialized Public Ministry Agency (Agencia del Ministerio Publico Especializado) to file a complaint (denuncia), as well as request support from the local System for Integral Family Development (Sistema para el Desarrollo Integral de la Familia, DIF) or the Veracruz State DIF (Veracruz 8 Oct. 2003).
Documentary sources indicate that female victims of violence and harassment in Xalapa are able to access assistance from state-run institutions such as the Centre for the Assistance of Crime Victims (Centro de Atencion a Victimas de Delitos, CAVD) (Veracruz n.d.a), the Centre for Telephone Assistance 066 (Centro de Atencion Telefonica 066) (Veracruz n.d.b) and the Directorate for the Assistance of Women, Vulnerable Groups and Victims of the State Commission for Human Rights in Veracruz (Veracruz n.d.c).
According to the Attorney General for Justice of Veracruz State (Procuraduria General de Justicia del Estado de Veracruz, PGJ) Website, the CAVD offers free and confidential legal, psychological, and social support services and assistance to crime victims and their families (Veracruz n.d.a). In addition, CAVD provides public prevention programs on issues such as domestic violence, drug addiction, children's rights, and basic security measures (ibid.). CAVD is located at Alvarado No. 12 Col., Centro, Xalapa and they can be reached by telephone at 812-21-80 (ext. 266 or 270) or their toll-free number 1-800-712-65-43 (ibid.).
The Centre for Telephone Assistance 066 is the Veracruz State-run emergency telephone assistance line that people can call for a wide range of concerns from accidents to domestic violence (Veracruz n.d.b). The 066 Website stated that for the moment the emergency line only operates in Xalapa-Enriquez, Tlalnelhuayocan, Banderilla, and Coatepec (ibid.). However, according to a 5 September 2003 article in Diario de Xalapa, the Centre for Telephone Assistance 066 will be expanding its coverage over seven more operational centres in Panuco, Poza Rica, Martinez de la Torre, Veracruz, Fortin, San Andres Tuxtla, and Cosoleacaque.
The goal of the Directorate for the Assistance of Women, Vulnerable Groups, and Victims is to manage intervention requests filed by women, children, people with different capacities, vulnerable groups, and victims, in person or by other means of communication (Veracruz n.d.c). The Directorate carries out this mission by providing assistance, such as legal direction and humanitarian aid, and by initiating inquiries for women, vulnerable groups and victims (ibid.). The Directorate is located within the office of the State Commission for Human Rights in Veracruz at Carrillo Puerto No.21, Col. Centro, C.P. 91000, Xalapa de Enriquez and its telephone number is 812-07-96 or 812-05-89 (ibid.).
Please also refer to the March 2003 Research Directorate Issue Paper entitled Mexico: Domestic Violence and Other Issues Related to the Status of Women on the recourse and protection available to victims of domestic violence, as well as MEX34156.E of 4 April 2000 that provides information on legal assistance and other support services available to women who are victims of domestic abuse in Xalapa, Veracruz.
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate 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. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.
References
Diario de Xalapa. 5 September 2003. Santos Solos Rios. "Exija justicia."
Veracruz. 8 October 2003. Procuraduria de la Defensa del Menor, la Familia y el Indigena. Correspondence with a deputy attorney. Additional Sources Consulted IRB databases World News Connection/Dialog Internet sites: Agencia de Informacion FrayTito para America Latina (ADITAL) [Fortaleza, Brasil] Centro de Estudios para la Transición Democrática [Veracruz] Comunicacion e Informacion de la Mujer, A.C. (CIMAC) [Mexico City] Comision Estatal de Derechos Humanos Veracruz Creatividad Feminista e-Mexico La Jornada [Mexico City] Medical Veracruz Mexico, Instituto Nacional de las Mujeres Mujeres Hoy/Isis Internacional Notired.com Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO) Sistema para el de Desarrollo Integral de la Familia (DIF) Todamujer Veracruz, Gobierno del Estado Veracruz, Procuraduria General de Justicia del Estado Veracruz, Secretaria de Seguridad Publica (SSP) Xalapa, Gobierno Municipal Search engines: Directorios de Veracruz.com Google Red Xalapa
_____. 6 October 2003. Comision Estatal de Derechos Humanos de Veracruz, Direccion de Atencion a Mujeres, Grupos Vulnerables y Victimas. Correspondence with lawyer and auxiliary worker.
_____. n.d.a. Procuraduria General de Justicia del Estado de Veracruz. "Centro de Atencion a Victimas de Delito."
_____. n.d.b. Servico Telefonico de Atencion a Emergencias 066. "¿Que es el 066?"
_____. n.d.c. Comision Estatal de Derechos Humanos de Veracruz, Direccion de Atencion a Mujeres, Grupos Vulnerables y Victimas. "Funciones de la Direccion de Atencion a Mujeres, Grupos Vulnerables y Victimas."