Chilean legal system faces challenges in domestic violence cases

Family lawyer Carmen Gloria Almendra has highlighted significant systemic failures in addressing domestic violence in Chile. She notes that while more men are coming forward to report abuse, the legal system struggles to provide timely protection.

Key obstacles include the saturation of the Servicio Médico Legal, where psychiatric evaluations can take between eight months and a year. Such delays are particularly critical in cases of domestic abuse that occur without witnesses, making the violence difficult to prove. Furthermore, Almendra points out legal contradictions when children are involved, noting that precautionary measures may protect a victim while leaving children in the care of the accused party.