Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08GUATEMALA1517
2008-12-10 17:25:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Guatemala
Cable title:
HELP FOR FEMALE VICTIMS OF VIOLENCE IS FOUR DIGITS
how-toVZCZCXYZ0013 RR RUEHWEB DE RUEHGT #1517 3451725 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 101725Z DEC 08 FM AMEMBASSY GUATEMALA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 6594 INFO RUEHME/AMEMBASSY MEXICO 5024
UNCLAS GUATEMALA 001517
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR G/IWI AND G/TIP
DEPT PASS TO USAID FOR LAC/CAM EBOSTIC
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KWMN KCRM PHUM KJUS KDEM SOCI PGOV MX GT
SUBJECT: HELP FOR FEMALE VICTIMS OF VIOLENCE IS FOUR DIGITS
AWAY
REF: GUATEMALA 457
UNCLAS GUATEMALA 001517
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR G/IWI AND G/TIP
DEPT PASS TO USAID FOR LAC/CAM EBOSTIC
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KWMN KCRM PHUM KJUS KDEM SOCI PGOV MX GT
SUBJECT: HELP FOR FEMALE VICTIMS OF VIOLENCE IS FOUR DIGITS
AWAY
REF: GUATEMALA 457
1. On November 25, the International Day for the Elimination
of Violence Against Women, the Guatemalan Institute of Public
Criminal Defense (IDPP) inaugurated a hotline to provide
emergency assistance to female victims of domestic violence,
sexual abuse, and other forms of physical violence 24 hours a
day, 365 days a year. By dialing 1571, victims and their
families will have access to coordinated medical and security
assistance from first responders and the National Civil
Police, as well as free legal assistance from one of the call
center's three dedicated lawyers.
2. The IDPP established the hotline number, with financial
support from the European Union, to comply with the mandate
of the 2008 Law Against Femicide and Other Forms of Violence
Against Women (passed by Congress in April) for the GOG to
provide free legal assistance to female victims and their
families (reftel).
3. During the call center's first four hours of operation on
November 25, its six phone operators received 20 calls from
female victims requesting assistance. According to IDPP
Director General Blanca Aida Stalling, an estimated 600 women
have been murdered so far this year in Guatemala. Over the
past four years, an estimated 2,113 women have reportedly
been killed in Guatemala while only 52 perpetrators have been
prosecuted.
4. According to Carlos Castresana, Commissioner of the
International Commission against Impunity in Guatemala, many
in Guatemalan society silently accept violence against women
as a natural occurrence and cultural norm, making the work of
those who fight to protect women more difficult. Civil
society members expressed optimism that the hotline would
provide an effective and immediate response to female victims
in danger.
McFarland
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR G/IWI AND G/TIP
DEPT PASS TO USAID FOR LAC/CAM EBOSTIC
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KWMN KCRM PHUM KJUS KDEM SOCI PGOV MX GT
SUBJECT: HELP FOR FEMALE VICTIMS OF VIOLENCE IS FOUR DIGITS
AWAY
REF: GUATEMALA 457
1. On November 25, the International Day for the Elimination
of Violence Against Women, the Guatemalan Institute of Public
Criminal Defense (IDPP) inaugurated a hotline to provide
emergency assistance to female victims of domestic violence,
sexual abuse, and other forms of physical violence 24 hours a
day, 365 days a year. By dialing 1571, victims and their
families will have access to coordinated medical and security
assistance from first responders and the National Civil
Police, as well as free legal assistance from one of the call
center's three dedicated lawyers.
2. The IDPP established the hotline number, with financial
support from the European Union, to comply with the mandate
of the 2008 Law Against Femicide and Other Forms of Violence
Against Women (passed by Congress in April) for the GOG to
provide free legal assistance to female victims and their
families (reftel).
3. During the call center's first four hours of operation on
November 25, its six phone operators received 20 calls from
female victims requesting assistance. According to IDPP
Director General Blanca Aida Stalling, an estimated 600 women
have been murdered so far this year in Guatemala. Over the
past four years, an estimated 2,113 women have reportedly
been killed in Guatemala while only 52 perpetrators have been
prosecuted.
4. According to Carlos Castresana, Commissioner of the
International Commission against Impunity in Guatemala, many
in Guatemalan society silently accept violence against women
as a natural occurrence and cultural norm, making the work of
those who fight to protect women more difficult. Civil
society members expressed optimism that the hotline would
provide an effective and immediate response to female victims
in danger.
McFarland