Comprehensive reform promoted to strengthen child protection in the Dominican Republic
The Cabinet for Children and Adolescents (GANA) and the National Council for Children and Adolescents (Conani) have initiated a strategic dialogue process with the Public Prosecutor’s Office. The central objective of these meetings is to present reform proposals that allow for the updating and strengthening of the Code for the Protection and Fundamental Rights of Children and Adolescents, known as Law 136-03.
This initiative, promoted by First Lady Raquel Arbaje, seeks to integrate technical perspectives from various sectors so that the legal framework responds to current social realities and remains in total harmony with the Constitution of the Republic and the Penal Code.
What we want is to update Law 136-03 so that it is in accordance with the Constitution and the Penal Code. It is essential to maintain an inter-institutional dialogue to strengthen the vision that congressmen will have when debating and approving the new regulations.
Raquel Arbaje, First Lady of the Republic.
Current challenges and legal modernization
More than two decades after its enactment, Law 136-03 requires a thorough review. The current environment presents challenges that did not exist in 2003, such as the impact of social media, digital harassment, and new forms of rights violations that demand more effective prevention mechanisms.
- Violence and exploitation: Strengthen the response to sexual abuse, child maltreatment, and various forms of exploitation.
- Digital Environment: Create protocols to protect minors from the risks inherent in the virtual world.
- Legal Harmonization: Eliminate legal contradictions to ensure more effective and consistent law enforcement.
- Comprehensive protection: Improve victim care and strengthen risk prevention mechanisms.
During the meeting, the Attorney General of the Republic emphasized the importance of reaching a solid consensus. The meeting included the participation of key figures, including the head of the National Directorate for Children, Adolescents and Family (Dinnaf), Olga Diná Llaverías, along with other representatives of the Public Ministry and executives from Conani, who analyzed the roadmap for the reform.
Interinstitutional coordination
The Cabinet for Childhood and Adolescence (GANA) continues its work of articulating public policies that transcend theory, seeking that the coordination between the Executive Branch, the Public Ministry, and the National Congress results in a robust protection system. The goal of these working groups is for any legislative modification to have the necessary technical endorsement to comprehensively protect the underage population throughout the national territory.
