Sexual harassment and abuse
The reform to article 176relating to sexual abuse, incorporates the definition of “act of a sexual nature” and updates the consent criteria in accordance with international standards.
In parallel, the modification to article 179 of the Penal Code seeks to eliminate ambiguities in the figures of sexual harassment and abuse. In the case of sexual harassment, it is established that it occurs when a person, without the explicit consent of the victim, requests or proposes sexual favors and affects their psycho-emotional integrity.
“Silence, passivity or any prior tolerance cannot be interpreted as consent,” reads the legislative proposal.
Although the law already provides for penalties of one to three years in prison, the reform incorporates aggravating factors when harassment is committed in work, school, domestic, training, sports, or during the provision of services.
In addition, article 179 BIS is created, aimed at protecting girls, boys and adolescents against violence, harassment and abuse in digital environments.
Reforms against trafficking and child abuse
The Legal Counsel, Erendira Cruzvillegas, announced reforms to the Commercial Establishments Law and the Tourism Law of the capital.
Article 23 of the Commercial Establishments Law: It is proposed to add to the second section that all businesses that provide lodging services will be obliged to collect information from all people who enter the rooms. In the case of minors, they must also prove relationship.
They will also be added to article 23 II BIS, 23 II TER, 23 III and 23 IV TER: which establishes clear records of people who enter lodging service establishments, as well as obligations regarding the placement of panic buttons and connection of security cameras in common areas to C5, among other security measures.
In the case of the Tourism Law, reforms are proposed to articles 60, 61 and 67 on protection of women and minors in accommodation sites, as well as the obligation for establishments to train employees on gender issues.
The president of the Equality Commission of the Congress of Mexico City, Cecilia Vadillo, considered that this package of reforms will be a priority to be resolved as soon as possible.
“We are going to move forward very quickly in their ruling to vote on them as soon as possible, obviously without affecting the legislative process, prioritizing their discussion, but it is a priority,” he said.
