P.R. Laws tit. 8, § 601
The Government of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico recognizes that domestic violence is one of the most serious and complex problems in our society. Domestic violence lacerates the integrity and dignity of all victims, regardless of the sex, civil status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or immigrant status of the persons involved in the relationship. Upon developing the public policy on this matter, we must aspire to overcome the difficulties that domestic violence presents to every victim, especially to women and children, when preserving their physical and emotional integrity, assuring their safety, and saving their lives.
Domestic violence is one of the clearest manifestations of the effects inequality has on relationships between men and women. The inequality that causes domestic violence manifests itself in consensual intimate relationships, regardless of the sex, civil status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or the immigrant status of the persons involved in the relationship. Discriminatory ideas, attitudes, and conduct also permeate those social institutions called upon to resolve and prevent the problem of domestic violence and its consequences. The efforts of these institutions to identify, understand, and handle abuse have been limited, and are often inadequate.
The Government of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico reaffirms its constitutional commitment to protect the life, security, and dignity of men and women, regardless of sex, civil status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or immigrant status. It also recognizes that domestic violence violates the integrity of a person, his/her family, and members thereof, and constitutes a serious threat to the stability and preservation of the civilized coexistence of our People.
As public policy, the Government of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico assertively repudiates domestic violence as it contravenes the values of peace, dignity, and respect that the People wish to keep for individuals, families, and the general community. This public policy promotes the development, establishment, and strengthening of effective measures to offer protection and assistance to victims, options for the rehabilitation of the offenders, and strategies for the prevention of domestic abuse.
History —Aug. 15, 1989, No. 54, p. 199, § 1.2, eff. 90 days after Aug. 15, 1989; May 29, 2013, No. 23, § 1.