Symposium 2026

On June 5, 2026, the Puerto Rico Institute of Statistics hosted the Collective Action for Violence Prevention Symposium: Transforming Realities through Prevention and Collective Action. This event brought together professionals, public officials, organizations, and citizens interested in strengthening violence prevention efforts in Puerto Rico. The program addressed topics such as the current landscape of violence affecting infants and youth, public policy and substance use prevention, and multisectoral action for the protection of women and the eradication of sexual violence, among others. The presentations offered evidence-based analyses and multidisciplinary perspectives that contributed to the development of initiatives aimed at preventing violence, promoting safer environments, and improving the well-being of the population.

The Initiative

The purpose of the Collective Action for Violence Prevention symposium was to bring together professionals from various sectors to analyze, from an evidence-based perspective, the key challenges and strategies for preventing violence in Puerto Rico. This multisectoral initiative fostered a space for dialogue and action where organizations such as the Puerto Rico Institute of Statistics, the Department of Health, the Puerto Rico Police, and Iniciativa Comunitaria shared updated data on youth violence, substance use prevention policies, and the protection of women. In addition to strengthening institutional collaboration, the event offered formal training to attendees by granting hours in governmental ethics, integrating statistical rigor with social commitment to promote the safety and well-being of the population.

Special Guest Presentations

• • Mr. Alejandro Rodríguez-Putnam, Preventing Violent Firearm Deaths

• Dr. Glenda Dávila- Torres, Brega Bien Program: Risk Context

• Dr. Eduardo J. Zavala-Mendoza, Characterization of Emergency Room Visits and Hospitalizations for Overdose in Puerto Rico

• Ms. Keysha M. Maldonado Avilés, Data That Saves Lives

• Capt. Aymée M. Alvarado Cardona and Ms. Myribel H. Santiago, Sexual Assault within Domestic Violence

• Ms. Soé Rodríguez Alamo, Data for Action: Use of Tracking Systems, Hospital Audits, and Risk Assessment in Gender-Based Violence Prevention in Puerto Rico

• Ms. Edda Rocca López, Las Amigas

Puerto Rico Institute of Statistics

• Mr. Alberto L. Velázquez Estrada, Violent Deaths in Young Adults

• Dr. Diego E. Zavala, Typology of Violence Regional Context

• Dr. Francisco Pesante González, Child Maltreatment, Risk Behaviors, and Parenting Practices in Puerto Rico: A Statistical Overview

• Dr. Idania R. Rodríguez Ayuso, Sexual Coercion in Domestic Violence

Materials

Agenda

Photos

Press Releases

Summary Video

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To recognize the great contribution of statistics to the quality of life of all, the Puerto Rico Institute of Statistics organized the First Symposium on Statistics of Gender-based Violence in Puerto Rico, held on May 5, 2023. This Symposium provided a space that allowed us to deepen empirical evidence and provide key information that contributes to the prevention and eradication of gender-based violence in Puerto Rico.

The Initiative:

We worked from a health and statistical perspective, which validated the importance of continuing to provide data and statistics that allow us to continue designing strategies that help the economic and social development of Puerto Rico, and to build a healthy society both physically and mentally.

Presentations:

• Dr. Orville M. Disdier, Risky Behaviors in High School Students
• Lcd. Ileana V. Espada Martinez, About PARE
• Lieutenant Aymée Alvarado Cardona, COPOP
• Dr. Diego Zavala, The Health Approach
• Soé Rodríguez Álamo, and Brenda A. Guzmán Pagán, Sexual Violence and the Department of Health's Information Systems
• Myribel Santiago Torres, Domestic Violence Incident Rates in Puerto Rico, 2014-2021
• Mariluz Bezares Salinas, System for the Compilation and Management of Femicide and Transfemicide Statistics
• Dr. Raúl G Castellanos, Gender-based Violence from the PAHO/WHO Perspective
• Attorney Laura E. Hernández Gutierrez, The Department of Justice's Development of Statistical Data on Gender-based Violence
• Alberto L. Velázquez-Estrada, Violent Deaths and Life Expectancy PR 2001-2021
• Dr. Francisco Pesante Gonzalez, Women's Participation in Education and the Workforce
• Leyda I. Soto Lopez, Labor and Economic Variables by Gender in Puerto Rico

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Materials:

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Video Summary

Photos of the Activity

Additional Information on Gender-based Violence Statistics: Statistics on Gender-based Violence in Puerto Rico

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On October 20, 2010, World Statistics Day was celebrated, as proposed by the United Nations Organization http://unstats.un.org/unsd/wsd/. In commemoration of this celebration, the Puerto Rico Statistics Institute held “Statistics Expo” at the Intercontinental Hotel. Hundreds of statisticians and people interested in statistics from the public, private, non-profit, academic and student sectors were present.

Expo Statistics Program The Statistical Expo Magazine Exhibitors Video

Presentations

• Panel: Surveys for Data Collection
  • Puerto Rico BRFSS, Mrs. Miriam Ramos, Department of Health
  • Study on the prevalence of substance use by schoolchildren in Puerto Rico 2005-2007, Mrs. Carmen Julia Ruiz, ASSMCA
  • The Retail Accounts Report (INFOVENTAS), Mr. Carlos Acevedo, Trading and Export Company
  • Labor Statistics Bureau Surveys, Mrs. Elda Ivelisse Parés, Department of Labor and Human Resources
• Statistical needs of non-profit organizations, Dr. Luz Mairym López, Puerto Rico Institute of Statistics
• The use of six sigma in the pharmaceutical industry, Mr. Orlando Lozada, Pfizer
• The Assistant: Your Guide to Data Analysis, Mr. José Padilla, Minitab
• The Power of Statistics: What Converts Add Up, Mrs. Brooke Weisman, IBM
• Panel: Municipal Statistics
  • Use of statistics in the municipal administration, Plan. Ada Bones, Guaynabo Municipality
  • Use of empirical and statistical methods for operational planning and evaluation of human services, Mrs. Moraima Nevarez, Toa Baja Municipality
• Panel: The use of statistics in the media
  • Statistics in the media, Mrs. Luisa García Pelatti, Business Section Director, El Vocero
  • Statistics and journalistic research, Mrs. Omaya Sosa Pascual, Center for Investigative Journalism
  • Statistics and media, Mrs. Joanisabel González, The New Day
  • Keynote Conference: Ethical Principles of Statisticians, Dr. Mario Marazzi Santiago, Executive Director, Puerto Rico Institute of Statistics

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