Parents demand equality before the law regarding vicarious violence

In February 2025, the National Collective of Women for Equality requested the Jalisco Congress to modify the Vicarious Violence Law. They argue that the current legislation could unjustly criminalize fathers and exclude them as possible victims.

Vicarious violence is defined as using children to harm the partner. This mainly occurs in contexts of separation or divorce.

Background of the Vicarious Violence Law in Jalisco

In August 2022, the Jalisco Congress classified this type of violence as a crime. Penalties of two to ten years in prison and the loss of parental rights for aggressors were established.

The law includes measures such as:

• Legal and psychological counseling.
• Temporary shelters for women and children.
• Protection against aggressors.
• Economic support and social reintegration.

Arguments of the National Collective of Women for Equality

The collective argues that the law, as it is written, responds to a feminist ideological agenda that excludes fathers from legal protection.

Their legal advisor, Rodolfo Junior, stated: "After three years of struggle and various actions of unconstitutionality, a feminist ideological agenda was imposed."

Meanwhile, Saharet Mendoza, representative of the collective, pointed out that with the change of legislature, they seek to modify the law without consulting true specialists.

Main concerns of the collective

• Equality of rights: Fathers argue that they also have the right to maintain a close relationship with their children and that the current law favors mothers in custody disputes.
• Violence against men: Some fathers claim to be victims of domestic violence but don't receive the same legal and social support as women.
• Unfair processes: They report that, in some cases, they are falsely accused of violence to limit their access to their children, affecting their parent-child relationship.

Requests to the Government of Jalisco

The collective plans to request Governor Pablo Lemus Navarro to implement a broader agenda, also considering the perspective of children and family.

Rodolfo Junior emphasized: "We will ask the governor to include the perspective of children and family. Children are not second-class citizens, nor are men criminals for being fathers."

Specific demands of the collective

• Inclusion in the Vicarious Law: To recognize fathers as possible victims and provide them with the same support as women.
• Shared custody: Promote shared custody as the default option unless there are compelling reasons to avoid it.
• Protection against false accusations: Establish mechanisms to investigate and sanction false reports of violence.

Debate in the Jalisco Congress

The Jalisco Congress has announced discussion forums to review the Vicarious Violence Law again.

The National Collective of Women for Equality emphasized the importance of all voices being heard and that the legislation doesn't exclusively criminalize men.