Victory in Paraguay is a Big Step Forward for Domestic Violence Survivors

Victory in Paraguay is a Big Step Forward for Domestic Violence Survivors
March 20, 2015 at 7:35 PM
By Debbie Sharnak, Argentina-Paraguay country specialist

On August 27, 2014, Paraguay took a huge step forward in promoting the rights of domestic violence survivors when they released Lucia Sandoval from prison. Sandoval had been in jail for over three years on the charge of homicide after she defended herself against an abusive husband.

Amnesty International Paraguay worked with other local human rights groups to advocate for her release. Finally, at the end of August, Lucia was absolved of all guilt in the case. Rosalie Vega, Executive Director of Amnesty International Paraguay said that the ruling gave a positive signal to women that look for protection against their abuses.

Lucia’s trial centered on an incident in February 2011 when she informed her husband that she had filed a complaint in court and received a medida de protección, similar to a restraining order, which required him to leave their home.

In Sandoal’s testimony, she noted that her husband reacted violently and threatened her with a gun, stating her concerned that no one would be able to act against him. Trying to escape, Lucia relayed that they became involved in a physical scuffle and the gun went off, which ended her husband’s life. Since that fateful day in February, Lucia was placed in jail, where she remained, unable to see her two sons who are both minors.

More:
http://blog.amnestyusa.org/americas/victory-in-paraguay-is-a-big-step-forward-for-domestic-violence-survivors/