8th May 2026

Ibero-American Model Protocol for the investigation of sexual violence cases

End sexual violence Latin America and the Caribbean

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This regional protocol provides practical guidance for investigating and prosecuting sexual violence cases, grounded in international human rights standards and a consent-based approach. Developed by the Gender Specialized Network (REG) of the Ibero-American Association of Public Prosecutors, the protocol was strengthened through a validation process facilitated by Equality Now in coordination with its Regional Network for Access to Justice in Latin America and the Caribbean, bringing together prosecutors and access to justice experts from across the region.

Through this process, Equality Now supported dialogue and exchange between justice actors and experts, ensuring the integration of gender and intersectional perspectives and the inclusion of barriers faced by women and girls in situations of heightened vulnerability.

What’s inside the report?

  • Conceptual framework defining sexual violence based on the absence of consent
  • Practical guidance on investigation planning, evidence, and victim testimony
  • Institutional recommendations to strengthen prosecutorial and justice system responses

Who’s it for?

  • Prosecutors across Latin America and the Caribbean
  • Justice sector actors, including police, forensic teams, and the judiciary
  • Policymakers and institutions working on access to justice

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Key takeaways and recommendations

  • Centre consent as the defining element of sexual violence, moving beyond force-based frameworks
  • Conduct investigations with heightened due diligence, ensuring timeliness, impartiality, and effectiveness
  • Integrate gender and intersectional perspectives throughout the investigative process
  • Address structural barriers that affect access to justice for women, girls, and other groups in vulnerable situations
  • Strengthen institutional coordination, specialised capacities, and training within justice systems

About

8 May 2026

138 pages

Languages

EN

ES

Classification

Guides
End sexual violence
Latin America and the Caribbean

More information

For more information, contact programs@equalitynow.org.

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