Mexico domestic violence moves will prove insufficient

Significance

The announcement followed the approval of several legislative amendments earlier last month, relating to family issues such as corporal punishment and neglect of the elderly. The moves come amid concerns over increased domestic violence during COVID-19 restrictions.

Impacts

• Failure to curb intra-family aggression will perpetuate the normalisation of violence more broadly, fostering other crime.
• Feminicide levels could rise, amid the government’s limited recognition of the need to protect vulnerable women during the pandemic.
• The suspension of activities in the judiciary due to the pandemic will continue to leave minors unprotected with no access to justice.