In an alarming yet little-discussed example of domestic violence, the landmark sentencing of a woman for assaulting her boyfriend in Anorí, Colombia has set a precedent in the fight against gender-based violence.
Karen Restrepo had faced charges of domestic violence against her boyfriend months prior, having inflicted physical and psychological harm. According to the Office of the Attorney General, the boyfriend reported that Restrepo had a “jealous and violent attitude” during their year of cohabitation, and on the day of the attack, she allegedly hit him with a broken bottle. Ultimately, the assault left the man injured and disabled for two months, and Restrepo was sent to jail after repeated offenses.
“She constitutes a danger for the victim because of these constant and continuous aggressions,” stated José Aníbal Burgos, the municipal judge of Anorí.
This landmark ruling reaffirms that gender-based violence in all its forms is both unacceptable and unsanctioned in Colombia. As women around the world continue to advocate for change and justice in cases of domestic violence, it is this ruling that serves as an indelible reminder of how accountability for violent crimes should be a cultural norm.
The prosecutors and judges of Anorí remind citizens everywhere to report similar cases, as violence is never justified, regardless of gender. This sends a message that gender-based violence, albeit oftentimes minimized and disregarded, is deeply unacceptable and will not be swept under the rug.
With information from Caracol Radio