Forum “From Violence to Dialogue: Understanding and Preventing the Social Crisis”
On May 12, 2025, the Puerto Rico Institute of Statistics held the forum entitled “From Violence to Dialogue: Understanding and Preventing the Social Crisis”, an event that brought together renowned experts from various disciplines to analyze, based on data, the multiple expressions of violence currently faced by Puerto Rico. The main objective of the meeting, held in Carolina, was to promote an informed dialogue that contributes to the understanding and prevention of violence in all its forms. The forum program included presentations on topics such as armed violence, drug trafficking, intimate partner violence, feminicide, education, social inequality and suicide. Each paper was supported by rigorous statistical evidence, as well as proposals aimed at strengthening public policies aimed at preventing these social problems.

The initiative:
The forum “From Violence to Dialogue: Understanding and Preventing the Social Crisis” focused on the importance of creating a space in which the context of current violence in Puerto Rico was addressed, where the intersection of various types of violence requires a comprehensive and evidence-based analysis. This multidisciplinary meeting not only allowed us to examine the different manifestations of violence, but it also established an important precedent in the use of statistical data for the development of public prevention policies. The participation of experts in different fields contributed to a deeper understanding of the magnitude of violence and the social challenges faced by Puerto Rico for the development of effective strategies that promote a safer and more equitable society.

Special Guest Presentations:

• Raúl Figueroa Rodríguez, A Comprehensive Approach to Suicide Prevention in Puerto Rico
• Dr. Eduardo J. Zavala-Mendoza, Structural Violence and Psychoactive Substances in Puerto Rico
• Dr. Rafael A. Boglio Martínez, Firearms, Violence and Gender
• Captain Aymée Alvarado Cardona and Myribel Santiago Torres, MPH, NPPR-Domestic Violence in Puerto Rico, 2014-2024
• Prosecutor Laura Hernández Gutierrez, Strangulation Protocol

Puerto Rico Institute of Statistics

• Dr. Diego E Zavala, Context of Violent Deaths in Puerto Rico Using the Typology of Violence in OMS.pdf
• Mariluz Bezares Salinas, Beyond the Visible Tertiary Deaths Due to Intimate Partner Violence in Puerto Rico
• Manuel Mangual, Femicide Data Collection System

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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

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The Importance of Programming in Statistics, Promoting Greater Participation of Women

The main objective of this conference was to highlight the importance of programming or coding in statistical processes. In the same way, greater participation of women in the programming area, the use of free platforms for statistical analysis, women in science and technology and the importance of a data scientist or “Data Analyst” were promoted.

Presentations

• Skills and competencies of the 2020 graduate

• • Dr. Orville M. Disdier, Conference Director
• The importance of STEM and computer science in Puerto Rico
  • Lucy Crespo, CEO of the Puerto Rico Trust for Science, Technology and Research
  • Ana H. Quintero, Department of Mathematics, University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras
• Coding in statistical processes in Puerto Rico
  • Pedro A. Torres, Professor of Statistics, University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez
  • María Egleé Pérez, Department of Mathematics, University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras
• Gender Equity in Science and Mathematics
  • Sonia Bartolomei, Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez
• The inclusion of women in coding and statistics
  • Patricia Ordoñez, Department of Computer Science, University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras
  • Sofía Stolberg, CEO of Pilot 151 and Codetrotters, supporter of the local tech ecosystem

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