Ley contra la Violencia Domestica (Ley N.º 7586) – protection measures

The Ley contra la Violencia Domestica (Ley N.º 7586) regulates the application of protection measures to guarantee the life, integrity and dignity of persons who are victims of violence within the family or domestic nucleus.

Who it especially protects: the law provides special protection to mothers, persons under 18 years of age, persons over 60 years of age, and persons with disabilities, taking into account the specific situation of each case.

How protection measures are requested: they can be requested in writing or verbally, independently of any other process (it is not necessary that a criminal or family proceeding be underway to request them). A written request only needs authentication (a lawyer’s signature) if the requester does not appear in person – if they appear in person, authentication is not required.

What can happen after they are requested:

• The person who requested the measures can ask for their early termination at any time.
• The court’s decision can be appealed within the next 3 business days.

Role of the police: police authorities have the duty to intervene in situations of domestic violence, either on their own initiative or because the victim or a third party requests it.

Where it is processed: before the domestic violence or family courts, according to the judicial organization of each judicial circuit.

Relation with other records in this database: to file a criminal complaint for an act of violence that is also a crime, see the record “How to file a criminal complaint (OIJ / Ministerio Publico)” – the protection measures of this law and a criminal complaint are separate procedures, which can be done separately or together.

Note: the complete list of available protection measures (for example, an order for the aggressor to leave the home, a no‑approach prohibition) was not confirmed in this verification – confirm at the corresponding court or with the Public Defense.