Puerto Rico
Serves Adjuntas, Jayuya, Lares, and Utuado
The Gender Violence Initiative is a court-based program that serves the population of a rural region in Puerto Rico. Through the program, court officials work alongside local nonprofit organizations and the local community to connect domestic and sexual violence survivors with victim services and offer a specialized gender court to hear their cases. The team assigned to the Gender Violence Court includes judges, assistant clerks, marshals, a program coordinator, among other court staff, under the supervision of the Administrative Judge of the Judicial Region of Utuado. Victims can connect with the court in person or remotely through videoconference on a mobile device or through means provided by local nonprofits. The court's use of technology increases access to justice and makes it easier for victims in rural areas to obtain a protection order and participate in other court proceedings. In addition to local community support, the initiative has the backing of the Chief Justice. Several government agencies also help support the initiative.