Victims of violence cited obstacles to achieving justice

Users of Justice in the National District identified a number of obstacles that have prevented the victims of gender-based violence access the judicial system and achieve timely and effective justice including the cost and the slowness of the criminal process.

Considered that the cost of the process prevents the full participation of the victim for compensation of the caused damage. Pose, moreover, that the excessive duration of the process makes the victim loses interest and the excessive forwards soon become a double victimization.

Limitations and constraints were identified by 100 users of the National District Justice Palace, through a survey conducted by judge Sarah really Almánzar, judge of the second Collegiate Court of the National District.

The results of this survey were presented by the judge in the third international seminar of Victimology: victims, criminal policy and judicial system u000aDominican Republic, organized by the Commissioner for support to the reform and modernization of Justice, in which the judge described on the theme "Victimization and system Judicial en los cases of gender violence".

Users made them the following question: "What are the main obstacles faced by the victim of violence in the criminal process bringing their double victimization as a result?" As part of the answers, the users cited that there is no equity between the technical defence of the accused and the victim. Note excessive guarantees to the accused of the crime, which understand will be at the expense of the victims.

Perceived as a drawback the State of freedom of the aggressor, because in some cases it becomes a threat to the victim.

As a hindrance also cite the lack of information which have procedural acts or the information late.

More obstacles
other identified obstacles were the u000alack of personal security and proper follow-up to the victims, because they are unprotected and in a State of vulnerability.

Also considered a stumbling block the absence of a criminal policy effective, especially with respect to institutions which can turn the victim in cases of violence after the lodging of a complaint.

They understand that not only the direct victim is vulnerable by absence of protection, but also the family.

Other abovementioned limitations concerning the lack of protection and monitoring, because they facilitate handling mechanisms; agreements without intelligent approval of the victim between accused and public prosecutor's Office, formally correct, but materially ineffective subpoenas, are not taken into account the excuses of the parties, helplessness of the victim in cases of disclaimer, fear of reprisals and clashes with the aggressor in audience and beyond it.

However to the u000aobstacles identified by users of the system, the judge mentioned progress, including steps free defence for the victims and the inclusion of judges and prosecutors in training programmes on the subject of gender and domestic violence, in order to achieve awareness.

He highlighted campaigns against violence and the creation of a unit of protection to the victims.

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