Rise in Domestic Violence in Panama

Authorities have identified that women and girls continue to be the most affected by these crimes worldwide, as misogynistic behaviors are still promoted in societies, causing not only physical but also psychological consequences. Statistics show that in the last months of the year (September, October, and November), the incidence was higher; however, it is possible that the cases were recorded earlier, as some victims do not report them immediately. Domestic violence (15,013) and abuse of children, adolescents, and teenagers (3,693) are the most reported crimes by the population, followed by abuse of the elderly (887) and crimes against the family (623), including bigamy and sham marriage, authorization of marriage knowing the impediment, failure to fulfill family duties, and embezzlement of assets in the exercise of parental authority. Domestic violence not only manifests through physical abuse but also through using silence as a form of punishment, excessive jealousy, isolation, bank control, throwing objects, hitting walls, humiliating, and insulting privately or publicly. Less frequent are crimes against identity and trafficking of minors, with 17 accusations, including abduction for trafficking purposes (10) and identity alteration (4). Crimes against the legal family order and civil status give authorities no respite; figures from the Public Ministry (MP) reveal that, as of November, 20,233 complaints have been filed, a 2.6% increase compared to the same period last year, when 19,711 were registered. The areas with the highest prevalence in the country are: Panama (5,964), West Panama (4,194), Chiriquí (2,702), Coclé (1,463), Colón (1,263), and Veraguas (1,159).