Women’s advocate works on strategies to address violence cases

Women’s Advocate Astrid Piñeiro Vázquez and Justice Department officials discussed the importance of strengthening interagency coordination from the initial intervention through the judicial process in violence cases.

By The Star Staff

Women’s Advocate Astrid Piñeiro Vázquez met on Tuesday with Justice Department officials to establish strategies to ensure a swift, sensitive and structured response to cases of violence.

“Attention to the issue of violence must be coordinated and with clear plans to ensure sensitive handling,” Piñeiro Vázquez said in a written statement.

During the meeting, the importance of strengthening interagency coordination from the initial intervention through the judicial process was discussed in order to guarantee effective protection for surviving victims.

Recommendations for diversion programs, the Department of Correction and Rehabilitation’s Diversion Board, and judicial processes of the Office of Court Administration were also discussed.

Piñeiro Vázquez urged people to seek help in cases of violence during their days off, noting that the Office of the Women’s Advocate’s confidential line operates 24 hours a day and is available to offer guidance and referrals to victims.