Colombia faces rising gender violence and institutional gaps

The Ombudsman's Office in Colombia has recorded 89 femicides, 20 transfemicides, and over 50,000 cases of domestic violence so far this year. Experts suggest that the current judicial response and early prevention mechanisms suffer from flaws, including a lack of coordination between service agencies and socioeconomic barriers that prevent victims from reporting crimes.

Dr. Julia Martínez Candado, dean of the Faculty of Social and Legal Sciences at the International University of Valencia, identifies the consolidation of Law 1761 of 2015 (Rosa Elvira Cely Law) as a primary challenge for the state. She emphasizes the need to transform territorial data into anticipatory public policies that strengthen the social and economic fabric to reduce female vulnerability.

Obstacles to seeking help include economic dependence, lack of information regarding assistance routes, the normalization of violent behavior, and fear of revictimization. Proposed solutions include decentralizing services by bringing reporting options directly to neighborhoods and ensuring simultaneous psychological and legal support.