Women’s advocate, 9-1-1 systems partner to improve response to gender-based violence

By THE STAR STAFF

Women’s Advocate Astrid Piñeiro Vázquez and José Reyes, the executive director of the 9-1-1 Emergency Systems Bureau, signed an interagency agreement on Monday that seeks to transform the care provided to victims of gender-based violence in Puerto Rico.

The agreement includes the integration of technological equipment to strengthen the Women’s Advocate Office’s 24/7 hotline of and improve interoperability between the two agencies. The measure will optimize resources, streamline emergency dispatch and facilitate geolocation in incidents of violence.

“The integration of our systems is crucial to ensuring an effective response to emergency situations,” Piñeiro Vázquez said in a written statement. “This agreement not only optimizes resources but also ensures that victims receive the assistance they need in a timely manner.”

The initiative seeks to establish a replicable model for emergency response, with the aim of saving lives and ensuring effective support in critical moments.