By The Star Staff
The Institute of Statistics and the Justice Department presented the preliminary findings of the analysis of the Risk Assessment (Danger Assessment), a tool recently implemented by prosecutors in the criminal investigation process to identify the levels of danger of femicide faced by victims of domestic violence in Puerto Rico.
The pilot study, which covered 2,021 cases during the first half of 2024, revealed worrying data that underscore the urgency of continuing to strengthen prevention and protection strategies against domestic violence in Puerto Rico. Among the data are: The victims have an average age of 36.3 years, with the 20 to 39 age group being the most represented (62.1% of cases); one in four victims faced a level of severe to extreme dangerousness; women with severe or extreme dangerousness are almost 13 times more likely to have been attacked or threatened with a weapon, compared to those with variable or increasing dangerousness; when evaluating the group of women with severe or extreme dangerousness, it was due to the fact that the partner or ex-partner was jealous of her and showed it violently and constantly (82.6%). 79.1% feared that the partner or ex-partner was capable of killing her, and the municipalities with the highest adjusted rates of victims, 15 years or older, with severe or extreme dangerousness were Barranquitas, Salinas, and Patillas.
The Statistics Institute and the Department of Justice reaffirmed their commitment to continue working together so that the Government of Puerto Rico uses these findings as a basis for the design and implementation of effective public policies that prioritize the safety of victims of domestic violence.
“These data do not only represent a snapshot of reality but are the result of a rigorous statistical analysis process led by the Statistics Institute, in which risk assessment sheets were validated, integrated into a centralized database, and the necessary analyses were performed to identify the most critical risk factors. This work is a key tool to guide the efforts of government agencies toward more effective and targeted interventions,” said Orville M. Disdier Flores, executive director of the Statistics Institute of Puerto Rico.
Justice Secretary Domingo Emanuelli Hernández pointed out that “these data are not just numbers, they are an urgent call to joint action to strengthen prevention, protection and justice strategies for victims of domestic violence. This preliminary report gives us a roadmap for action to identify areas to strengthen to eradicate domestic violence. The analysis of data from the Department of Justice’s Risk Assessment will allow for the development of public policies and measures in addition to those already implemented to address the needs of the complainants and prevent femicides. My commitment, as part of the justice system, is to work tirelessly to convert these statistics into tangible solutions that prioritize the safety, dignity, and rights of the victims,” he said.
“It is essential that this be continued, as it is an effective initiative to build a future where no woman fears for her life in her own home,” he said. “
On the other hand, Idania R. Rodríguez Ayuso, deputy executive director of the Statistics Institute, said “the analysis of this data allowed us to identify critical patterns and risk factors that show the seriousness of domestic violence in Puerto Rico. This process, which includes the validation and detailed analysis of the risk assessment sheets, is essential to generate reliable information that serves as a basis for the design of more effective prevention and protection strategies. These findings call on us to act urgently to prioritize high-risk cases and ensure the safety of victims.”
“The analysis of the Risk Assessment allows prosecutors to make decisions with greater certainty and to be able to insert themselves into prevention efforts. At the same time, it contributes to their ability to guide victims and channel the aid and services they require, including security measures,” said the head of the prosecutors, Jessika Correa González.
The results of the pilot study confirm an alarming reality that we cannot ignore: one in four women who file complaints face a level of danger that puts her life at risk. As a society, we cannot allow fear and violence to continue to mark the lives of so many women. However, this effort cannot fall solely on government institutions. The active collaboration of communities is essential to identify risks, offer support to victims, and promote a culture of respect,” said Attorney General Laura Hernández Gutiérrez, director of the Coordination Division of the Specialized Units for Domestic Violence, Sexual Crimes, and Child Abuse of the Department of Justice.
The Puerto Rico Statistics Institute and the Puerto Rico Department of Justice reiterated their call to continue with government and community collaboration, as well as to continue strengthening the collection and analysis of regional data to eradicate domestic violence in Puerto Rico eventually. For his part, the Secretary of the Department of Justice reported that the results obtained will allow law enforcement agencies to strengthen the response in municipalities with high rates of dangerousness, thus allowing for more focused and effective interventions. In addition, he explained that it will be essential to continue the specialized training that the Department of Justice implemented to train professionals who work directly with victims of domestic violence, ensuring that they have the necessary tools to identify and handle risk situations appropriately. Finally, the leaders of both agencies expressed that these findings will allow for the design of better prevention and education campaigns aimed at raising awareness about the risk factors associated with the risk of intimate partner femicide.
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