Responses to Information Requests

Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Ottawa

1. Overview

Sources indicate that violence against women has become [translation] "normalized" to the point that it is invisible to authorities and society in general (Santiago de Cali 28 Mar. 2017; Sisma Mujer 25 Nov. 2016, 9). Corporación Sisma Mujer, a Colombian NGO that advocates for women's rights (Sisma Mujer n.d.), indicates that, in many cases, women prefer not to report domestic violence out of fear of being stigmatized or revictimized by state institutions (Sisma Mujer 25 Nov. 2016, 9). According to the website of the US Embassy in Bogotá, "[d]omestic violence, including spousal abuse, remains a serious problem in Colombia" (US n.d.). According to the US Department of State's Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2016, "[a]lthough prohibited by law, rape, including spousal rape, remained a serious problem" (US 3 Mar. 2017, 37).

According to Country Reports 2016, the Attorney General's Office reported that, in July 2016, 62,186 new investigations were opened for cases of domestic violence, of which 53,596 victims were women and 2,607 cases involved minors (US 3 Mar. 2017, 38). According to the 2015 annual report by the National Institute of Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences (Instituto Nacional de Medicina Legal y Ciencias Forenses, INMLCF), 47,248 cases of domestic violence were reported in 2015 (Colombia July 2016, 295). In 40,943 of these cases the victims were women, with 62.66 percent of these women between the ages of 20 and 34 (Colombia July 2016, 295). The same report indicates that in 47.27 percent of the cases, the male partner was the perpetrator, while in 29.33 percent it was the ex-partner (Colombia July 2016, 297). The departments with the highest number of cases of domestic violence were Bogotá (11,259 cases), Antioquia (4,809), Cundinamarca (3,590), Valle del Cauca (3,487), and Santander (2,379) (Colombia July 2016, 293). In correspondence with the Research Directorate, a representative of UN Women in Colombia indicated that, according to statistics by the INMLCF, 41,802 cases of domestic violence were reported in 2014, 40,943 in 2015, and 43,083 in 2016 (UN 27 Mar. 2017).

The 2015 National Survey on Demographics and Health (Encuesta nacional de demografía y salud, ENDS Colombia 2015) indicates that 64.1 percent of women and 74.4 percent of men reported having suffered some form of psychological violence by their partner, 31.9 percent of women and 22.4 percent of men reported having experienced physical violence from their partner, 31.1 percent of women and 25.2 percent of men reported having experienced economic violence, and 7.6 percent of women reported having experienced sexual violence from their partner (Colombia 2015, 78-80).

2. Legislation

In correspondence with the Research Directorate, a representative from Profamilia, a Colombian non-profit organization that promotes sexual and reproductive rights (Profamilia n.d.), indicated that the following legislation addresses intra-family violence [1]" in Colombia:

• The Constitution, Articles 11 to 14, and 42 and 43;
• Law 82 of 1993, which enacted norms to support women heads of households, and which was amended by Law 1232 of 2008;
• Law 294 of 1996, which enacted measures to prevent, remediate and punish intra-family violence, and which was modified by Law 1257 of 2008;
• Law 599 of 2000, which established crimes against the family in Articles 299 to 238 of the Penal Code;
• Law 823 of 2003, which enacted norms about equal opportunities for women;
• Law 1098 of 2006, which enacted the law on children and adolescents;
• Law 1257 of 2008;
• Law 1639 of 2013, which provides protection measures for victims of attacks with acidic substances;
• Law 1719 of 2014, which seeks to guarantee access to justice for victims of sexual violence (Profamilia 7 Apr. 2017).

The representative of UN Women in Colombia stated that Law 294 of 1996 deals with intra-family violence, and Law 1257 of 2008 with violence against women (UN 27 Mar. 2017). Similarly, in correspondence with the Research Directorate, a representative of Taller Abierto, a Cali-based NGO focused on promoting gender equality (Taller Abierto n.d.), indicated that Law 1257 of 2008 is [translation] "one of the important laws that seeks to protect women from violence" (Taller Abierto 27 Mar. 2017). The UN Women representative in Colombia source added that Colombia is part of the Inter-American Convention on the Prevention, Punishment and Eradication of Violence Against Women, also known as the Convention of Belém Do Para (UN Women 27 Mar. 2017).

According to Country Reports 2016,

[t]he law provides for sentences ranging from eight to 30 years' imprisonment for violent sexual assault. For acts of spousal sexual violence, the law mandates prison sentences of six months to two years and denies probation or bail to offenders who disobey restraining orders. (US 3 Mar. 2017, 37)

According to the same source, "[t]he law allows authorities to prosecute domestic violence offenders when the victim does not testify, if there is another witness," and that "[t]he law augments both jail time and fines if the crime causes 'transitory or permanent physical disfigurement,' such as acid attacks, in which an attacker throws acid onto the victim's face" (US 3 Mar. 2017, 38). A translation of Law 1257 of 2008 by the Translation Bureau of Public Works and Government Services Canada is attached to this Response.

2.1 Implementation and Effectiveness of Legislation

According to the website of the US Embassy in Bogotá, "[t]he Human Rights Ombudsman's Office conducts regional training workshops to promote the application of domestic violence statutes" (US n.d.). Further and corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

The Taller Abierto representative noted that Law 1257 of 2008 is "still in the process of being implemented, the process is slow due to lack of political will" (Taller Abierto 27 Mar. 2017). According to Country Reports 2016, "[j]udicial authorities may remove an abuser from a household and require the abuser to undergo therapy. The law provides for both fines and prison time if an abuser causes grave harm or the abuse is recurrent, but authorities reportedly did not impose fines" (US 3 Mar. 2017, 38).

3. State Protection and Support Services
3.1 Reporting Domestic Violence

According to Country Reports 2016, "[t]he law requires the government to provide victims of domestic violence immediate protection from further physical or psychological abuse" (US 3 Mar. 2017, 38). An article in El Tiempo, a Bogotá-based newspaper, cites the President's High Commissioner for Women's Equality (Consejera Presidencial para la Equidad de la Mujer) as explaining that women who have been assaulted should follow the following steps to ensure that they are assisted and protected by the authorities:

• Step one: request immediate protection for themselves and their children at Family Commissaries (Comisarías de Familia), if the aggressor is part of the family, or at the Attorney General's Office (Fiscalía General de la Nación, FGN), if the aggressor is from outside the family unit. The Colombian National Police (Policía Nacional de Colombia, PNC) can also be called to provide protection. Authorities will determine whether the victim should be send to a shelter.
• Step two: file a police report with the authorities at the Comprehensive Assistance Centre for Intrafamily Violence (Centro de Atención Integral contra la Violencia Intrafamiliar, CAVIF), the Comprehensive Assistance Centre for Victims of Sexual Crimes (Centro de Atención Integral de Víctimas de Delitos Sexuales, CAIVAS), or the Immediate Response Units (Unidades de Reacción Inmediata, URI) of the FGN; Family Commissaries; or the PNC (El Tiempo 19 Oct. 2016).

The website of the FGN indicates that intra-family violence can also be reported at the FGN's Centre for Comprehensive Assistance for Criminal Cases (Centro de Atención Integral Penal, CAPIV), municipal courts (Juzgados municipales) (Colombia 18 June 2015), and the Pre-trial Conciliation Unit (Unidad de Conciliación Preprocesal, UPI) (Colombia n.d.). A document posted on the FGN website further indicates that the CAPIVs can be found in Bogotá, Barranquilla, Barrancabermeja, Villavicencio, and Tumaco, and that there are 32 CAFIVs in the country (Colombia n.d.).

According to the website of the US Embassy in Bogotá, Family Ombudspersons (Defensores de Familia) of the Colombian Institute for Family Welfare (Instituto Colombiano de Bienestar Familiar, ICBF) also handle domestic violence cases (US n.d.). Further and corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

3.2 State Response

According to the 2015 National Survey on Demographics and Health, 76.4 percent of women never sought help in cases of violence committed against them (Colombia 2015, 84). The same source indicates that, in cases where the violence was reported, 40.3 percent were reported at a police station, 37.2 percent at the FGR, 19 percent at a Family Commissary, 7.1 percent at "another institution," and 2.4 percent at a court (Colombia 2015, 83-84). Of all reported cases by women victims of violence, the aggressor was penalized in 21.1 percent of the cases, the victim was summoned to conciliation in 29.5 percent of the cases, the aggressor was not penalized or did not appear in 28.2 percent of the cases, the aggressor was ordered not to go near the victim in 22.1 percent of the cases, and in 5.7 percent the aggressor was prohibited from going back into the home (Colombia 2015, 84). In 4.7 percent of the cases that were reported, the violence did not stop, and in 2.3 percent it got worse (Colombia 2015, 84).

A report sent to Congress by the President's High Commissioner for Women's Equality, regarding the implementation of Law 1257 of 2008, states that, in 2014, the FGN received 74,899 cases of intra-family violence, with charges laid in 10 percent of the cases and a conviction rate of 23 percent (Colombia 26 Jan. 2017). In 2015 the number of cases received was 85,040, with charges laid in 12 percent of the cases and a conviction rate of 24 percent (Colombia 26 Jan. 2017). The same report states that, despite the increase in the rate of charges being laid, that rate remains "very low," and the investigation and prosecution of intra-family violence cases remains "insufficient" and the conviction rate "deficient" (Colombia 26 Jan. 2017).

Country Reports 2016 states that, according to women's groups such as Sisma Mujer, law enforcement response is "generally ineffective" (US 3 Mar. 2017, 37).

The UN Women representative in Colombia stated that the PNC have a protocol for dealing with female victims of domestic violence, but that given the high levels of domestic violence in the country, even with this protocol, the institutional capacity of the PNC to respond to domestic violence is [translation] "insufficient" (UN 27 Mar. 2017). The source added that this is not only the case for the PNC, but more generally for institutions that deal with cases of domestic violence (UN 27 Mar. 2017). Access to justice for victims of domestic violence is "one of the major bottlenecks" which results in high levels of impunity (UN 27 Mar. 2017).

On 24 February 2016, Caracol Radio, a news station based in Bogotá, reported that, in a domestic violence-related ruling, the Constitutional Court instructed the FGN and judges to provide immediate protection measures to women who report partner violence (Caracol 24 Feb. 2016). The plaintiff in this case was revictimized by her partner after she tried unsuccessfully obtaining protection measures from the FGN three times for domestic-related violence (Caracol 24 Feb. 2016). Corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

3.2.1 PNC

The website of the US Embassy in Bogotá indicates that domestic violence can be reported at local police stations (US n.d.). In correspondence with the Research Directorate, a representative of the Human Rights Office of the PNC's Metropolitan Police of Santiago de Cali, indicated that the PNC provides assistance to women victims of violence by accompanying the victim to the relevant institution so she can receive support (Colombia 31 Mar. 2017). The UN Women representative in Colombia indicated that the PNC does not have the mandate to receive complaints related to domestic violence, but it offers protection to women at risk of domestic violence (UN 27 Mar. 2017). Similarly, in correspondence with the Research Directorate, a representative from the Under-Secretary of Gender Equality of the Municipality of Santiago de Cali stated that, in accordance with Law 1257 of 2008, the FGN is responsible for receiving and processing domestic violence-related complaints, while the PNC is mandated to support protection measures ordered by the Family Commissaries and the FGN (Santiago de Cali 28 Mar. 2017).

3.2.2 Family Commissaries

The website of the District Secretariat for Women (Secretaría Distrital de la Mujer) of the City of Bogotá indicates that the Family Commissaries receive cases of intra-family violence, provide legal advice, issue protection measures, and provide referrals to health-care institutions in [translation] "urgent cases" (Bogotá n.d.a). According to the website of the Ministry of Justice, 70 percent of the cases of violence against women are dealt with in the first instance by Family Commissaries (Colombia 9 Mar. 2015). The same source indicates that there are [translation] "more than 1,300" Family Commissaries in 1,101 municipalities (Colombia 9 Mar. 2015).

3.2.3 Helpline 155

On 16 November 2013, Noticias RCN, a news source based in Bogotá, reported that the President's High Commissioner for Women's Equality and the PNC created the Helpline 155 to [translation] "counter the high levels of aggressions and crimes against women reported [in October 2013]" (Noticias RCN 16 Nov. 2013). The website of the President's High Commissioner for Women's Equality indicates that Helpline 155 has country wide, free coverage, operates 24/7, and provides, under confidentiality, guidance on issues related to gender violence and institutional programs available (Colombia 18 Feb. 2015). The same source further indicates that the helpline receives an average of 760 calls per day, and that in 2014 a total of 280,148 calls were received (Colombia 18 Feb. 2015). The largest numbers of calls come from Bogotá and the departments of Atlántico, Valle del Cauca, and Antioquia (Colombia 18 Feb. 2015). On 19 October 2016, El Tiempo cited the Inspector General of the PNC as stating that "during this year," the helpline has received 184,776 calls, 349 of which were emergencies that required immediate intervention by the PNC (El Tiempo 19 Oct. 2016).

3.2.4 Protection Measures

Chapter V of Law 1257 provides the following,

[translation]

Article 16. … Anyone who, in their family environment, is a victim of physical or mental harm, whose sexual integrity us harmed, or who is threatened, assaulted or suffers any other form of aggression from another member of the family, may without prejudice to the recourses provided by the criminal law ask the family commissioner of the place where the offences occurred or, if there is no such commissioner, the municipal civil or joint civil-criminal judge, for an immediate protection measure to end the violence, mistreatment or aggression or to prevent it if it is imminent. (Colombia 2008, Art. 16)

…

Article 17. … If the competent authority determines that the petitioner or a member of a family group has been a victim of violence, it will order a permanent protection measure, stating that the aggressor shall refrain from the conduct mentioned in the complaint and from any similar action against the victim and other members of the family group. The official may also impose the following measures, …

1. Order the aggressor to leave the home…;
2. Order the aggressor to refrain from entering any place where the victim is found…;
3. Forbid the aggressor to conceal or move the children and defencless disabled persons in the family group,…;
4. Require the aggressor to undergo re-education and treatment…;
5. If necessary, order the aggressor to pay the costs of counseling and the legal, medical, psychological and psychiatric care that the victim requires;
6. If the violence or mistreatment is serious and recurrence thereof is feared, the competent authority will order the police to provide special temporary protection for the victim both at home and at work (if she works outside the home);
7. Order the police, at the victim’s request, to accompany her when she returns home if she had to leave for her safety;
8. Provisionally decide the regime of child visiting, care and custody, if there are any children,…;
9. Suspend the aggressor's right to own, carry and use weapons; if he must do so for his work or profession, this suspension must be justified
10. Provisionally decide the use and enjoyment of the family home…;
11. Forbid the aggressor to do anything to sell or encumber his goods that are subject to registration, if his property is owned jointly with the victim…;
12. Order the aggressor to immediately return items of personal use, identity documents and any other document or item that the victim owns or that is in her care;
13. Any other measure necessary for the fulfilment of the objectives hereof. (Colombia 2008)

Sources indicate that protection measures can be issued by the FGN, a Family Commissary (Bogotá n.d.b; Colombia 31 Mar. 2017; Profamilia 7 Apr. 2017), or a municipal judge (Profamilia 7 Apr. 2017; Colombia 31 Mar. 2017). The representative of the Metropolitan Police of Cali indicated that protection measures are also issued by the ICBF (Colombia 31 Mar. 2017). According to the website of Bogotá's District Secretariat for Women, when violence against the women takes place outside the family, a supervisory judge can issue such protection measures (Bogotá n.d.b).

3.2.5 Shelters

According to Country Reports 2016,

[t]he ICBF provided safe houses and counseling for some women and children who were victims of domestic violence, but its services could not meet total demand. In addition to fulfilling traditional family counseling functions, the ICBF family ombudsmen handled domestic violence cases. (US 3 Mar. 2017, 38)

The website of the US Embassy in Bogotá states that the ICBF's services regarding safe houses and counselling for victims "are dwarfed by the magnitude of the problem" (US n.d.). Further and corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

3.2.6 Socio-economic Support

Information on socio-economic support programs for survivors of domestic violence could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

4. State Protection and Support Services in Bogotá, Medellín and Santiago de Cali

Without providing further detail, the UN Women representative in Colombia stated that Bogotá and Medellín have programs and mechanisms for the prevention, support and protection of victims in domestic violence-related cases, but that they are "still insufficient to respond to the magnitude of the problem" (UN 27 Mar. 2017). She stated that Bogotá and Medellín have better availability of safe houses to protect women from physical domestic violence in comparison to Santiago de Cali where services are more limited (UN 27 Mar. 2017).

4.1 Bogotá

The website of Bogotá's District Secretariat for Women indicates that women who experience violence have the right to receive information, report the violence, and request protection measures and medical assistance (Bogotá 2 Jan. 2016a). The same source further states that information can be obtained from women's organizations, community networks, and local authorities (Bogotá 2 Jan. 2016b). Regarding reporting, the District Secretariat for Women indicates that domestic violence can be reported at institutions including the FGN, Client Support Centres (Salas de Atención al Usuario, SAU), CAVIFs, the PNC, and Family Commissaries (Bogotá 2 Jan. 2016c). Protection measures can be requested at the nearest Family Commissary, or, if the violence originates outside the family unit, at the FGN or a supervisory judge (Bogotá 2 Jan. 2016d). El Espectador, a Bogotá-based newspaper, reports that Family Commissaries in Bogotá issued 486 protection measures in January 2015, while in January 2016 they issued 1,376 (El Espectador 8 Mar. 2016).

Regarding medical assistance, the website of Bogotá's District Secretariat for Women states that a female victim of violence can seek medical help at the nearest hospital or at any Centre for Comprehensive Medical Assistance (Centro de Atención Médica Integral, CAMI) (Bogota 2 Jan. 2016e). The same source further indicates that if the victim has experienced physical or psychological violence, the victim and her children or other dependents have the right to receive temporary housing, food and transportation, provided that clinical documents show that the health of the victim has been affected and the PNC recommends the relocation (Bogotá 2 Jan. 2016e).

4.1.1 Bogotá Social Services and Shelters

El Espectador reports that in Bogotá there are 34 Family Commissaries and two mobile units (El Espectador 8 Mar. 2016). A press release on the website of the City of Bogotá indicates that Bogotá has an online Family Commissary which provides guidance regarding [translation] "abuse; family disputes; custody, child support and visitation; divorce; and violence" (Bogotá 1 July 2015). The same source indicates that formal complaints cannot be initiated through the online Family Commissary and an appointment must be made with the nearest Family Commissary (Bogotá 1 July 2015).

The website of Bogotá's District Secretariat for Women lists the following phone numbers for support for victims of domestic violence:

• Helpline 155; and
• 018000-112137 - the [translation] "District's Purple Helpline 'Women Listening to Women'" (Bogotá n.d.c).

The website also indicates that lawyers from the District Secretariat for Women are present at Justice Houses (Casas de Justicia)[2] to provide orientation and legal advice to women at risk, or victims of, violence, and to promote women's rights (Bogotá n.d.d).

The website of Bogotá's District Secretariat for Women indicates that there are four shelters in Bogotá: three for victims of domestic violence and one for victims of the armed conflict (Bogotá 2 Jan. 2016f). However, the same website indicates on another page that there were 120 spaces and six shelters in Bogotá; four for female victims of family violence, one for female victims of the armed conflict, and one for women involved, or at risk of being involved, in sex work (Bogotá 20 May 2016). The same article indicates that the women and their dependents receive housing, food, orientation and counselling from nutritionists, psychologists, social workers, education specialists, nurses and lawyers in order to ensure [translation] "comprehensive support" (Bogotá 20 May 2016). In order to access shelter services, women need to be referred by either a Family Commissary or the FGN, and have, be in the process of obtaining, or willing to request, a protection measure (Bogotá 2 Jan. 2016f). The duration of stay is three months, which can be extended depending on the woman's situation (Bogotá 20 May 2016).

The website of Bogotá's District Secretariat for Women further states that the Houses for Equal Opportunities for Women (Casas de Igualdad de Oportunidades para las Mujeres) offer services including legal advice, psychological support, and information on institutional programs for women victims of violence (Bogotá n.d.e).

Information about the effectiveness of these services and protection provided in Bogotá could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

4.2 Medellín

Information on state protection and support services available for survivors of domestic violence in Medellín was scarce among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

A document posted on the website of the Municipality of Medellín regarding the Family Commissaries indicates that they receive reports of intra-family violence and process requests for protection measures (Medellín n.d.). The source lists the contact information of Family Commissaries present in 16 neighbourhoods (comunas), 5 townships (corregimientos), and a [translation] "night support" Commissary (Medellín n.d.). However, El Mundo, a Medellín-based newspaper, reports that Family Commissaries lack personnel which hinders their ability to provide a [translation] "good service" (El Mundo 4 Mar. 2015). The same source cites a Family Commissary as stating that

[translation]

"there are Family Commissaries that work with one secretary, in neighbourhoods with more than 100,000 inhabitants. In those conditions, it is impossible to provide appropriate, effective and comprehensive assistance to victims of intra-family violence" (El Mundo 4 Mar. 2015).

4.3 Santiago de Cali

An information leaflet posted on the website of the Municipality of Santiago de Cali entitled [translation] "[a]ssistance in Three Steps for Girls and Women Who are Victims of Violence" indicates that victims of violence can obtain assistance from Family Commissaries, the FGN, health care institutions, and the ICBF (for girls or adolescents) (Santiago de Cali 9 Dec. 2016). For support and advice, victims can go to the city's shelter or the PNC, and if their cases are not being resolved they can go to the Prosecutor's Office (Procuraduría General de la Nación, PGN), the Municipal Ombudsperson's Office (Personería), or the National Ombudsperson's Office (Defensoría del Pueblo) (Santiago de Cali 9 Dec. 2016). The same source further indicates that women can also find support and orientation at women's organizations and university legal clinics (Santiago de Cali 9 Dec. 2016).

The representative of the Metropolitan Police of Cali listed the following competent authorities as providing services to victims of domestic violence in Cali:

[translation]

Immediate Response Unit (Unidad de Reacción Inmediata, URI), for anyone who wants to report a crime; it is comprised of the Attorney General's Office, the SIJIN, the National Institute for Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences, and the Public Ministry.

Comprehensive Assistance Centre for Intrafamily Violence (Centro de Atención Integral Contra la Violencia Intrafamiliar, CAVIF) … comprised of the Attorney General's Office, the National Institute for Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences, [and] Medical and Psychological Assistance.

Comprehensive Assistance Centre for Victims of Sexual Crimes (Centro de Atención Integral de Víctimas de Delitos Sexuales, CAIVAS), for minors who are sexually assaulted by an adult. CAIVAS are comprised of the Attorney General's Office, the National Institute for Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences, [and] Medical and Psychological Support.

Specialized Centre for Adolescents (Centro Especializado para la Adolescensia, CESPA), for minors who are sexually assaulted by another minor.

Ombudsperson's Office (Defensoría del Pueblo), which is responsible for defending human rights, channeling popular demands, and protecting the interests of the community.

National Institute for Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences, for anyone who has been sexually or physically assaulted. Office hours are Monday to Saturday 7am to 7pm.

Colombian Institute for Family Welfare (ICBF), for minors who have been sexually, physically or psychologically assaulted. …

Attorney General's Office …

Automatic Dispatch Centre (Centro Automático de Despacho, CAD), for anyone who has been sexually, physically or psychologically assaulted. It receives information through helpline 123.

Family Commissaries …

Justice Houses …

Local Police Stations (Inspecciones de Policía) …

Notaries (Notarías), which can provide reconciliation services in civil, commercial and family matters.

Legal clinics (Consultorios Jurídicos), which are located within universities' law schools and whose services are free of charge.

…

Municipal Ombudsman's Offices (Personerías Municipales) … (Colombia 31 Mar. 2017)

The representative of the Municipality of Santiago de Cali indicated that the Under-Secretary of Gender Equality of their municipality has eight teams with the following objectives: economic empowerment, political and social empowerment, psychological and legal support for victims of gender-based violence, shelter support for victims of gender-based violence, prevention of gender-based violence, gender mainstreaming and awareness, international cooperation, and management (Santiago de Cali 28 Mar. 2017). According to the same source, there are also NGOs in Cali that work on issues related to violence against women (Santiago de Cali 28 Mar. 2017).

The representative of the Metropolitan Police of Santiago de Cali listed the following numbers as helplines for that city:

• Emotional Support Helpline of the Secretary of Health: 01800011048;
• Helpline 155;
• Helpline 123;
• Helpline 143 (Municipal Ombudsperson of Bogotá) for cases of intra-family violence, abandonment of underage children, and protection of human rights; and
• National Helpline for the Prevention of Sexual Abuse of the ICBF: 01 8000 11 24 40 (Colombia 31 Mar. 2017).

The report of the President's High Commissioner for Women's Equality to Congress regarding the implementation of Law 1257 of 2008, states that the eleven Family Commissaries in Santiago de Cali assisted 1,025 and 2,083 women in 2015 and 2016, respectively (Colombia 26 Jan. 2017).

The information in the following paragraph was provided by the representative of the Municipality of Santiago de Cali.

In Cali, women can only report domestic violence to the FGN's Office located in La Plazoleta de San Francisco, during office hours. Personnel at the PNC, the FGN, the INMLCF and Family Commissaries are not properly trained to deal with domestic violence complaints, and the processes for dealing with domestic violence complaints are slow and lack effectiveness. Women are "revictimized" at state institutions, as they are the object of offensive or inconsiderate comments by officials who lay the blame on these women for the violence they experience. Conciliation is often considered in domestic violence situations, which, [translation] "in practice, makes women vulnerable because it means they have to accept the violence from their partner and leaves them in an even more dire position." The infrastructure and personnel, especially at Family Commissaries, is insufficient (Santiago de Cali 28 Mar. 2017). Corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

Notes

[1] Intrafamily violence is [translation] "any type of physical or psychological violence that occurs in the family, whether it be child abuse, abuse of an adult, or of another family member" (Colombia n.d.)

[2] Justice Houses [translation] "are interinstitutional centers for information, orientation, referrals and provision of services, where informal and formal justice mechanisms are applied and implemented" (Bogotá n.d.d).

References

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Bogotá. 2 January 2016a. Secretaría Distrital de la Mujer. "Rutas de atención a mujeres víctimas de volencias." [Accessed 7 Apr. 2017]

Bogotá. 2 January 2016b. Secretaría Distrital de la Mujer. "Informarse." [Accessed 7 Apr. 2017]

Bogotá. 2 January 2016c. Secretaría Distrital de la Mujer. "Denunciar." [Accessed 7 Apr. 2017]

Bogotá. 2 January 2016d. Secretaría Distrital de la Mujer. "Solicitar medidas de protección." [Accessed 7 Apr. 2017]

Bogotá. 2 January 2016e. Secretaría Distrital de la Mujer. "Solicitar atención en salud." [Accessed 7 Apr. 2017]

Bogotá. 2 January 2016f. Secretaría Distrital de la Mujer. "Casas Refugio: una respuesta de la Bogotá Humana a la eliminación de la violencia contra las mujeres." [Accessed 27 Mar. 2017]

Bogotá. 1 July 2015. "Conoce arcerca de la Comisaría de Familia en Línea." [Accessed 27 Mar. 2017]

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Caracol. 24 February 2016. "Fiscalía debe solicitar medidas de protección para mujeres que denuncien casos de violencia intrafamiliar." [Accessed 5 Apr. 2017]

Colombia. 31 March 2017. Policía Nacional de Colombia, Policía Metropolitana de Santiago de Cali. Correspondence from an official to the Research Directorate.

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Additional Sources Consulted

Oral sources: Bogotá – Alcaldía de Bogotá, Instituto Distrital de la Participación y Acción Comunal, Secretaría Distrital de la Mujer; Casa de la Mujer; Colombia – Consejería Presidencial para la Equidad de la Mujer, Defensoría del Pueblo, Fiscalía General de la Nación, Instituto Colombiano de Bienestar Familiar, Instituto Nacional de Medicina Legal y Ciencias Forenses, Policía Metropolitana de Bogotá, Policía Metropolitana de Medellín; Corporación de Apoyo a Comunidades Populares; Corporación para la Vida Mujeres que Crean; Liga Internacional de Mujeres por la Paz y la Libertad; Medellín – Alcaldía de Medellín, Secretaría de las Mujeres; Professor of gender studies, Universidad del Valle; Sisma Mujer.

Internet sites, including: Amnesty International; BBC; Colombia – Instituto Colombiano de Bienestar Familiar, Policía Nacional; ecoi.net; Factiva; Humanas Colombia; Human Rights Watch; Red Nacional de Mujeres; UN – Refworld; Vamos Mujer.

Attachment

Colombia. 2008. Ley 1257 de 2008 (Law 1257 of 2008). Translated by the Translation Bureau, Public Works and Government Services Canada. [Accessed 21 Apr. 2017]