A state legislator introduced a bill that, if enacted, would increase penalties on those convicted of domestic violence crimes
A state lawmaker introduced a bill that, if enacted, would increase penalties on those convicted of domestic violence.
State Assembly member Miguel Peña introduced a bill to reform the Baja California Penal Code in order to set the maximum penalty of seven years in prison.
According to the lawmaker, domestic violence worsened during the pandemic due to the closure, uncertainty, stress and economic issues, as well as remote schooling.
“We need to review the legal frame that protects family members from violence that is caused by another family member,” Peña said.
The legislator said the proposal seeks to get rid of loopholes that benefit criminals and makes it harder to address the issue.
The measure includes provisions to force prosecutors to investigate domestic violence cases without a formal complaint in order to stop incidents turning into crimes.
Peña assured that Baja California’s legal frame regarding domestic violence punishment is below other states where penalties were increased to stop cases.
The bill also includes provisions to address the so-called vicar violence — in which individuals commit domestic violence against their former partners through children or other relatives.
The lawmaker said the penalty increase must be a psychological factor that deters residents from committing domestic violence or any other crime.
Majority of women affected by violence
About seven out of every ten women over 15 have suffered some kind of violence, the National Institute of Statistics and Geography said.
According to the National Survey of Home Relationships, the percentage is lower compared to the 66 percent recorded in 2016.
The states with the highest rates are Querétaro, Mexico City and the State of Mexico.
Baja California is fifteenth among the 32 states with the highest prevalence rate.
The survey says 69.2 percent of women 15 and older had had a violent incident in their lives.
The study says 37.2 percent of respondents have had an incident in the last twelve months.
Survey results show the most affected women live in cities, have some college level, and are either separated, divorced or widowed, as well as those who are indigenous.
Baja California is also last with the lowest prevalence of violence committed by a significant other or their most recent relationship.
A quarter of those women affected by violence said they were victims of psychological violence.
Over 90 percent of women impacted by physical or sexual violence miss reporting the incidents due to considering the issues as of no importance.
The survey indicates 14.2 percent of women suffered sexual abuse during their childhood.
Baja California records the highest violence prevalence at work, mainly discrimination.
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