Document #1318692
IRB – Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (Author)
A feminist and a lawyer specializing in
family law in Santiago (2 Dec. 1993) and a representative of the
Centro de Investigación para la Acción Femenina
(CIPAF) in Santo Domingo (3 Dec. 1993), both reported that spousal
abuse and spousal rape are not crimes and that there is no specific
legislation dealing with domestic violence against women. The CIPAF
representative reported that according to the law, sexual abuse in
marriage is considered to be "an obliged carnal junction" (3 Dec.
1993).
A 13 September 1993 Inter Press Service
article states that rape in marriage is not considered to be a
criminal offense. An Associated Press (AP) article of 24 June 1993
quotes Servia Galvan, an activist from the Dominican Republic as
saying that
the state sees rape as a private affair, and on the basis of
existing legislation it is most difficult to prosecute rapists.
This response was prepared after
researching publicly accessible information currently available to
the DIRB within time constraints. This response is not, and does
not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular
claim to refugee status or asylum.
The Associated Press (AP). 24 June
1993. AM Cycle. Roland Prinz. "Conference Reassures Women in Their
Battle for Rights, Recognition." (NEXIS)
Centro de Investigación para la
Acción Femenina (CIPAF), Santo Domingo. 3 December 1993.
Letter from representative faxed to the DIRB.
Inter Press Service. 13 September 1993.
Nesta Ellis. "Caribbean: Women Trying to Inform, Protect Against
Discrimination." (NEXIS)
Lawyer specialized in family law,
Santiago. 2 December 1993. Telephone interview.
The Associated Press (AP). 24 June 1993.
AM Cycle. Roland Prinz. "Conference Reassures Women in Their Battle
for Rights, Recognition." (NEXIS)
. 13 May 1993. AM Cycle. "Police Break
Up Prostitution Ring." (NEXIS)
Inter Press Service. 13 September 1993.
Nesta Ellis. "Caribbean: Women Trying to Inform, Protect Against
Discrimination." (NEXIS)