What is the emergency statement for gender violence?

The Declaration of the State of Emergency for Gender Violence, released today by Governor Pedro Pierluisi, lays down responsibilities and orders the implementation of several measures to try to stop the incidence in Puerto Rico.

Here are 12 highlights from the Governor’s Executive Order.

Compliance Officer

The Governor designates a government official as compliance officer who will respond directly to him and who will devote himself full-time to the implementation of this executive decree, in addition to the administrative aspects of the committee against violence to be established. This includes, but is not limited to, supervision, follow-up and monitoring of the implementation of the measures provided for in the order.

PARE committee

The order establishes the Committee for the Prevention, Support, Rescue and Education of Gender Violence, which will recommend measures and policies. Its purpose is to recommend measures and policies that have been established to achieve the objectives of the executive decision. 17 members have been appointed and it will consist of various government agencies, who will send a representative; members of the private sector and non-profit organizations. This committee is chaired by the secretary of the family, Carmen González Magaz, who has obtained a master’s degree and a doctorate from Carlos Albizu University, being her internship and dissertation on gender violence.

Mobile app

The order requires the Puerto Rico Innovation and Technology Service, in conjunction with the Department of Public Safety and the PARE Committee, to develop an application for mobile devices that allows victims and potential victims to quickly request assistance in an emergency, hiding the sent message to protect the victim from his aggressor.

Follow victims

The warrant creates a follow-up program so that any person who has a gender violence protection order is contacted and / or visited by a law enforcement officer to verify their safety.

Complaints handling

The Directorate of Public Security is instructed to improve the instruments for handling and registering complaints or reports and the progress of the cases.

Agent training

Training is ordered for all law enforcement officers and government agency personnel relevant to the efforts of the PARE Commission.

Improve statistics

Ensures the optimization of processes to compile reliable statistics on the incidence of gender violence

Pink warning

It instructs to evaluate and make recommendations for the implementation of the protocol known as the “PINK ALERT Plan”, as stipulated in Law No. 149-2019. This law was created to provide better mechanisms for the protection of missing or abducted women and to establish the powers and duties of public authorities.

Evaluation of specialized departments

It mandates the evaluation of the specialized departments of the Ministry of Justice and the exploration of alternatives to attend cases involving particularly vulnerable victims in a more sensitive and effective manner.

Economic development

The Department of Economic Development is mandated to evaluate and expand training and education programs for women that enable their integration into the workforce.

Media campaigns

It orders effective media campaigns on gender violence in alliance with private companies.

See the executive order here: