Mexico: Protection and resources available to women who are victims of domestic violence in the state of Michoacán (2005 - November 2007)
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Ottawa |
| Publication Date | 17 December 2007 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | MEX102588.FE |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Mexico: Protection and resources available to women who are victims of domestic violence in the state of Michoacán (2005 - November 2007), 17 December 2007, MEX102588.FE, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/47d6548b28.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. |
General situation
According to the Mexican national survey of 2003, 45.6 percent of women respondents from Michoacán had experienced at least one incident of domestic violence in the previous year (Mexico n.d.; Instituto de Investigaciones Jurídicas Oct. 2005, 203). Of that figure, 38.6 percent of the women reported instances of psychological (emocional) violence; 10.1 percent, physical violence; 8.3 percent, sexual violence; and the remainder, another form of violence (Mexico n.d.; Instituto de Investigaciones Jurídicas Oct. 2005, 203). María Ortega Ramírez, Michoacán's special prosecutor for cases involving domestic violence, stated that, of the 2,950 domestic violence complaints that her organization received in 2006, 80 percent involved rape (Cambio 28 Nov. 2006).
According to the same 2003 survey, Michoacán ranks eleventh among Mexican states in terms of the prevalence of violence perpetrated by a current spouse (Salud Pública de México 2006, s235). The source does not specify whether domestic violence includes violence against children within the family. According to Alejandro Méndez of the Green Ecologist Party of Mexico (Partido Verde Ecologista de México, PVEM), Michoacán ranks third in the country in terms of domestic violence (Cambio 19 Oct. 2007). According to the dailies Cambio de Michoacán and La Jornada, Michoacán is one of the states where women are the most vulnerable to assault in general (Cambio 4 Apr. 2007; see also Cambio 28 Nov. 2006; La Jornada 8 July 2007).
According to data from the National Institute of Statistics, Geography and Information Technology (Instituto Nacional de Estadistica, Geografía e Informática, INEGI), domestic violence is the main cause of migration for women in Michoacán (Cambio 26 Feb. 2007).
Domestic violence is part of an increase in criminality reported by federal government authorities (Cambio 28 Nov. 2006). According to Rubí de María Gómez Campos of the Michoacán Institute for Women (Instituto Michoacano de la Mujer), at least 130 women were killed in 2006, and that figure seems to be growing (Cambio 28 Nov. 2006). According to the same source, which is uncorroborated, most of those killings were the subject of legal proceedings (Cambio 28 Nov. 2006). No information could be found on the possible relationship between the homicides and domestic violence.
According to Amnesty International, there are no mechanisms to compel public prosecutor's offices to be accountable in an effective, impartial and transparent manner (AI June 2006, 2).
Legislative framework
The power to implement domestic violence legislation is shared by the federal and state governments, under the general law-making powers conferred on them by the Mexican constitution (Mexico 5 Feb. 1917, Arts. 71, 73). At the federal, state and Federal District levels, the legislative framework for domestic violence has its roots in civil, criminal and administrative law (Michoacán n.d.a).
At the federal level, the crime of domestic violence falls under the criminal code (Mexico 14 Aug. 1931, Art. 343 bis). In addition, under Mexican supreme court jurisprudence, marital rape is a criminal offence and not merely an undue exercise of marital rights, as it was before 2005 (AI June 2006). Michoacán, unlike some other states, has not yet updated its own criminal code to reflect this ruling of the highest court in the land (Michoacán 7 July 1980, Art. 224 bis and Arts. 240-242; AI June 2006).
In a March 2007 press release, Michoacán governor Lázaro Cárdenas Batel announced that he supported amendments to the criminal and civil codes that would increase the penalties for violence against women (Michoacán 12 Mar. 2007). Information on such changes could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.
Domestic violence is a crime under the current Michoacán criminal code, which sets out penalties for physical and psychological (moral) violence between spouses, whether or not they are living under the same roof (Michoacán 7 July 1980, Art. 224 bis).
The crime of domestic violence is punishable by a prison term ranging from six months to four years, under article 224 bis of the criminal code, as amended in July 2004 (Michoacán 7 July 1980, Art. 224 bis). In addition, the complainant must lodge a formal complaint (querella), either orally or in writing, in order for legal proceedings to be initiated; otherwise, the public prosecutor's office will not intervene (Michoacán 7 July 1980, Art. 224 bis; Michoacán 31 Aug. 1998, Arts. 14 and 19). Once the public prosecutor's office receives the complaint, it will investigate (Zamora 2004, 365).
The Michoacán criminal code and code of criminal procedure, as well as the new federal administrative law of 2007 (Ley General de Acceso de la Mujeres a una Vida Libre de Violencia), state that women can apply for protection orders, such as orders restricting contact between spouses (Michoacán 7 July 1980, Art. 224 bis; Michoacán 31 Aug. 1998, Art. 22; Mexico 1 Feb. 2007, Arts. 27-34). Article 224 bis of the Michoacán criminal code, which pertains to domestic violence, contains no provision requiring the violent spouse to leave the common home (Michoacán 7 July 1980, Art. 224 bis). Such a measure is, however, provided under federal administrative law (Mexico 1 Feb. 2007, Art. 29).
Michoacán administrative law also provides for alternative dispute resolution mechanisms (for example, arbitration and voluntary conciliation) during legal proceedings (Michoacán 11 Feb. 2002, Art. 17). Under the Michoacán civil code, evidence of domestic violence can be grounds for divorce (Michoacán 30 June 1936, Art. 226).
Protection efforts by the state of Michoacán and by the federal government
The Office of the Attorney General of Michoacán (Procuraduría General de Justicia), in Morelia, has procedures for providing victims who want to pursue the matter through the justice system with information on the criminal process (Michoacán n.d.a). Requests for legal assistance received by the Michoacán Institute for Women are referred to the attorney general's office (Michoacán n.d.b).
Another body working in this field, the Office of the Special Prosecutor for Crimes of Violence Against Women (Fiscalía Especial para la Atención de Delitos Relacionados con Actos de Violencia contra las Mujeres en el País, FEVIM), which is part of the Office of the Attorney General of the Republic (Procuraduría General de la República, PGR), provides victims with assistance through three regional help centres created in February 2006 and located in different parts of the country (Mexico 11 Nov. 2007). Toll-free telephone assistance is also available (ibid.). Women in Michoacán have access to 11 specialized units set up by the PGR, including one in a women's hospital in Morelia (La Voz de Michoacán 7 Nov. 2007). Under the federal administrative law of 2007, the federal government must create two national bodies to prevent and punish crimes against women and develop the appropriate regulations (Mexico 1 Feb. 2007, Arts. 35, 38 and Art. 2 of the final transitional provisions). According to the non-governmental organization the Citizens' Observatory on Femicide (Observatorio Ciudadano del Feminicidio), as quoted by La Jornada, despite the approaching expiry of the legal deadline for meeting its commitments, the federal government has not yet taken any tangible measures (La Jornada 8 July 2007). The National Institute for Women (Instituto Nacional de las Mujeres, INMUJERES) administers a number of programs targeting employees of the Michoacán attorney general's office (IACHR 20 Jan. 2007, Para. 250).
Michoacán's Ministry of Health (Secretaría de Salud) manages seven centres that provide specialized services (Centros con módulos especializados) for victims of domestic violence throughout the state (Michoacán 13 Mar. 2007). At the Uruapan centre, which opened in March 2007, the front-line staff consists of a doctor, a nurse, a social worker and a psychologist (Agencia de Noticias Cuasar 13 Mar. 2007). In its 2006 report on various issues affecting all of Mexico, Amnesty International states that there is no way to determine whether the relevant authorities (not just those in Michoacán) are acting with due diligence, particularly in fighting domestic violence (AI June 2006).
Protection efforts by civil society
Mujeres Contemporáneas Licenciada Yolanda Vargas Purecko, a women's association, provides a free consultation service that enables people in Morelia to receive advice from a group of 10 women, most of whom have legal training (Cambio 30 May 2007).
In addition, the Michoacán Centre for Women Victims of Violence (Centro de Atencion a las Mujeres Violentadas en Michoacán, CAMVI), located in Morelia (LaNeta n.d.), focuses some of its awareness and prevention efforts on adolescents, who, according to CAMVI, are the most at risk of violence (ALASRU n.d., 2, 4). The agency Hogar Nuestra Señora de la Esperanza provides psychological assistance to victims of domestic violence in Morelia (Mexico 19 Jan. 2007). The National Civil Women's Association (Asociación Nacional Cívica Femenina, ANCIFEM) and the Team of Women for Action in Solidarity (Equipo de Mujeres en Acción Solidaria, EMAS) play an active role in Morelia, while the María Luisa Martínez Independent Women's Group (Grupo de Mujeres Independientes María Luisa Martínez) is active in the city of Pátzcuaro (LaNeta n.d.).
The National Network of Shelters (Red Nacional de Refugios) runs an emergency hotline throughout Mexico (Red Nacional de Refugios n.d.a). In Michocán, the Santa Fe shelter in Morelia is part of the national network (Red Nacional de Refugios n.d.b). Depending on their needs, women and their children can stay at the shelter for up to three months (Mexico 19 Oct. 2006; Mexico 1 Feb. 2007, Art. 57).
In 2006, the Santa Fe independent shelter received funding from the federal Ministry of Social Development (Secretaría de Desarollo Social, SEDESOL), strictly for its prevention and training activities (Mexico 19 Jan. 2007). Michoacán has no state-run shelter (Red Nacional de Refugios n.d.c).
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 for refugee protection. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.
References
Agencia de Noticias Cuasar [Morelia]. 13 March 2007. "Nuevo Módulo de Atención a Víctimas de Violencia Familiar." (Uruapan.org)
Amnesty International (AI). June 2006. "Mexique : Rapport au Comité pour l'élimination de la discrimination à légard des femmes." (AMR 41/031/2006)
Asociación Latinoamericana de Sociología Rural (ALASRU). N.d. Ana Santa María Galván, Mónica J. López Guzmán, Evelin Ezquivel Huitrón and Crisol Yurítzi Pérez Medina. "¿Somos diferentes? y ¿por qué no iguales? Promoción de la equidad de género en población adolescente de localidades rurales del municipio de Morelia, Mich. México."
Cambio de Michoacán. 19 October 2007. Lunia Valdés Hernández. "Ofrece Alejandro Méndez empleos para inhibir la violencia."
_____. 30 May 2007. Miryam Talavera. "Abogadas en defensa de los derechos femeninos."
_____. 4 April 2007. Miryam Talevera. "Pugna CAMVI por prevención de la violencia."
_____. 26 February 2007. América Juárez Navarro. "Mujeres, 45% de migrantes michoacanos."
_____. 28 November 2006. América Juárez Navarro. "Michoacán, foco rojo en violencia contra la mujer."
_____. 14 August 2006. Ariel Ramírez Castillo. "La justicia nunca me ha sido indiferente."
Instituto de Investigaciones Jurídicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México. October 2006. 1st ed. Análisis comparativo de la legislación local.
_____. October 2005. 1st ed. Compilación.
Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR). 20 January 2007. Acceso a la Justicia para Mujeres Víctimas de Violencia en las Américas.
La Jornada [Mexico]. 8 July 2007. Emir Olivares Alonso. "Se multiplican las agresiones contra mujeres: Observatorio Ciudadano."
LaNeta. N.d. "Género."
Mexico. 11 November 2007. Procuradoría General de la República. "Localiza FEVIM a 26 mujeres y niñas."
_____. 1 February 2007. Ley General del Acceso de las Mujeres a una Vida Libre de Violencia. (Council of Europe)
_____. 19 January 2007. Secretaría de Desarrollo Social (SEDSOL). "Apoyos Otorgados a las Organizaciones de la Sociedad Civil."
_____. 19 October 2006. Secretaría de Salud. Centro de Equidad de Género y Salud Reproductiva. "Refugios para mujeres que viven violencia extrema."
_____. 14 August 1931. Codigo Penal Federal.
_____. 5 February 1917. Constitución Política de los Estados Unidos Mexicanos. (Constitution Society)
_____. N.d. Instituto Nacional de las Mujeres (INMUJERES). "Michoacan."
Michoacán. 13 March 2007. "Atención a Víctimas de Violencia Familiar."
_____. 12 March 2007. "Protección a la mujer."
_____. 11 February 2002. Ley para Atención y Prevención de la Violencia Familiar en el Estado de Michoacán de Ocampo.
_____. 31 August 1998. Código de Procedimientos Penales del Estado de Michoacán.
_____. 7 July 1980. Código Penal del Estado de Michoacán.
_____. 30 June 1936. Código Civil para el Estado de Michoacán.
_____. N.d.a. Procuraduría General de Justicia. "Atención de delitos contra la violencia familiar."
_____. N.d.b. Instituto Michoacano de la Mujer. "Informe Anual de Actividades: Ejercicio 2005."
Red Nacional de Refugios. N.d.a. "Red Nacional de Refugios."
_____. N.d.b. "Refugios associados."
_____. N.d.c. "Refugios gubernamentales."
Salud Pública de México [Cuernavaca]. 2006. Vol. 48, suppl. 2. Gustavo Olaiz, Rosalba Rojas, Tosario Valdez, Aurora Franco et Oswaldo Palma. "Prevalencia de diferentes tipos de violencia en usuarias del sector salud en Mexico."
La Voz de Michoacán. 7 November 2007. Yuri Galván. "Día internacional de la No Violencia."
Zamora, Stephen, José Ramón Cossío, Leonel Pereznieto, José Ronaldán-Xopa and David Lopez. 2004. Mexican Law. New York: Oxford University Press.
Additional Sources Consulted
Oral sources: Attempts to reach the following agencies and institutions were unsuccessful: Facultad de Derecho de la Universidad Don Vaso and Universidad de Michoacán, Instituto Michoacano de la Mujer (IMM), Centro de Atención a las Mujeres Violentadas en Michoacan (CAMVI), Asociación Nacional Cívica Feminina (ANCIFEM), Equipo de Mujeres en Acción Solidaria (EMAS), Grupo de Mujeres Independientes María Luisa Martínez, Centre de recherche interdisciplinaire sur la violence familiale et la violence faite aux femmes of the Université de Montréal.
Internet sources, including: Asociación Latinoamericana de Sociología Rural, Centre de recherche interdisciplinaire sur la violence familiale et la violence faite aux femmes, Comisión Estatal de Derechos Humanos del Estado de Michoacán, Instituto de Securidad y Servicios Sociales de los Trabajadores del Estado, Latin American and Caribbean Committee for the Defense of Women's Rights, Sistema Nacional para el Desarollo Integral de la Familia (DIF).