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

‍

Materials:

Prog

Video Summary

Photos of the Activity

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

‍

The Second Symposium on Gender-based Violence Statistics in Puerto Rico:

The Puerto Rico Statistics Institute organized the Second Symposium on Gender Violence Statistics, which took place on May 10, 2024. During the Symposium, a space was created to guide citizens on the availability of statistical data on gender-based violence generated by government agencies. These data are crucial to contribute to the analysis, prevention and eradication of gender-based violence in Puerto Rico.

The Initiative:

This event emerged as an essential continuation of providing relevant statistical information on gender-based violence in Puerto Rico. At this event, professionals from multiple disciplines present information aimed at the different manifestations of gender-based violence. This was done with the purpose of continuing efforts to create orientation spaces to accurately measure the problem of gender-based violence in Puerto Rico and its different manifestations from a health perspective. Information exchanges at events like this are of paramount importance as they promote understanding of this topic and the need for coordinated, multisectoral efforts to address this problem.

Presentations:

• Dr. Orville M. Disdier, Effects of violence on the teaching-learning process
• Lcd. Ileana V. Espada Martinez, Public Policies against Gender-based Violence
• Dr. Diego Zavala, Intimate partner violence and the health approach
• Dr. Rebeca Ward and Brenda Guzman, Data, primary prevention tools and action plans
• Captain Aymée Alvarado Cardona and Myribel Santiago Torres, Domestic Violence Among the Police Negotiate
• Mariluz Bezares Salinas, Towards an Accurate Measurement of Femicide in Puerto Rico
• Manuel Mangual, Information updates about PARE
• Lcd. Madeline Bermudez, Gender Violence from the OPM Perspective and Identifying the needs of working women in Puerto Rico.
• Prosecutor Laura Hernández, The Strategic Role of Statistical Data in Combating Domestic Violence
• Dr. Francisco Pesante Gonzalez, Profile of Child Abuse in Puerto Rico
• Dr. Ronald Hernandez and Leyda I. Soto López, Employment and Gender; An Overview of Puerto Rico

Materials:

Prog

Video Summary

Press Release

‍

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:

• Raul Figueroa Rodriguez, 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 Martinez, Firearms, violence and gender
• Captain Aymée Alvarado Cardona and Myribel Santiago Torres, MPH, NPPR-Domestic Violence in Puerto Rico, 2014-2024
• Attorney 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

Materials:

Agenda

Pics

Video Summary

Press Release

‍