Resident commissioner files measure to investigate gender violence in Puerto Rico

Resident Commissioner Pablo José Hernández Rivera

By THE STAR STAFF

Resident Commissioner Pablo José Hernández Rivera introduced the Violence Impact and Vulnerabilities Assessment Study Act (VIVAS Act) in the U.S. Congress on Tuesday, a bill aimed at investigating gender violence in Puerto Rico and producing accessible and contextualized data to address the crisis.

“In Puerto Rico, gender violence is a national emergency that our communities have been denouncing for years, even though institutions have not responded with the necessary urgency,” Hernández Rivera said in a written statement. “The VIVAS Act is a step toward responding to that call. If we truly want to save lives, we need clear data, transparency, and real coordination between the federal government, the government of Puerto Rico, and the organizations that have been working in our communities for decades.”

The bill was developed in conjunction with Coordinadora Paz para la Mujer (Peace Coordinator for Women) and the Gender Equity Observatory. Vilma G. González Castro, the executive director of the former organization, said the availability of clear and accurate data is essential for establishing public policies that address the real needs of victims and survivors.

Hernández Rivera said the measure mandates the comptroller general, who heads the federal Government Accountability Office, to conduct a comprehensive study on the causes and dynamics of gender-based violence in Puerto Rico. The analysis will include how natural disasters, economic crises, cultural norms and infrastructure failures influence patterns of violence, as well as the effectiveness of the police and social services in protecting survivors.

The proposed study would also evaluate the need to unify data systems among federal and local entities, and analyze the effectiveness of the Puerto Rican government’s policies aimed at preventing and responding to femicides.

According to the legislation, the final report must be published in English and Spanish and include recommendations to strengthen prevention, improve the government’s response, and establish public and transparent data systems.