The reform establishes that these crimes will be prosecuted ex officio and that aggressors must attend re-education workshops.

This article by Gloria López originally appeared in the December 13, 2025 edition of El Sol de México.

The Mexico City Congress approved the creation of the crime of violence between partners, including dating relationships, differentiating it from family violence, with the aim of protecting and guaranteeing a life free of violence for women.

With this modification, both types of violence will be investigated ex officio, explained Deputy Cecilia Vadillo Obregón, during the presentation of the ruling that also seeks to reform the crimes of abuse and sexual harassment and digital harassment against women in Mexico City.

This Saturday in an extraordinary session, legislators approved the package of reforms sent by the head of government, Clara Brugada Molina, which reforms articles 176, 177 and 178 of the Penal Code regarding sexual abuse, as well as reforms to the Civic Culture Law of Mexico City, regarding gender and access to a life free of violence for women.

Vadillo Obregón, president of the Gender Equality Commission, explained that one of the central changes is the creation of the crime of domestic violence between partners, differentiating it from violence exercised between other family ties such as brothers, uncles or relatives.

This separation will allow for the generation of more accurate statistics on gender violence and the design of more effective public policies to combat it.

The reform also includes dating relationships and any sexual or emotional bond within this form of violence, closing a legal loophole that left many young women unprotected. This aims to guarantee justice for victims who were previously not recognized by law because there was no formal relationship.

She clarified that this modification does not leave mothers who are victims of violence unprotected, but rather obliges judges to review cohabitation, custody and guardianship agreements, and even to decree the loss of parental rights when necessary, prioritizing the best interests of children and preventing vicarious violence.

Furthermore, the ruling also establishes that the aggressors must attend re-education workshops, with the aim of transforming learned behaviors and rethinking gender stereotypes and masculinities that normalize violence.

Regarding sexual abuse and harassment, the legislator said that the reform establishes that these crimes will be prosecuted ex officio, which means that the Public Prosecutor’s Office must investigate from the moment it becomes aware of the facts, without the burden falling on the victims.

She highlighted the work of President Claudia Sheinbaum, who, after experiencing sexual harassment in the street, promoted a national plan against violence and sexual abuse, as well as that of the Head of Government, Clara Brugada, who presented this initiative to accompany the presidential reform and propose additional modifications that recognize the realities of violence that women face.

She emphasized that one of the most significant precedents is the incorporation of consent as a central element of the sexual act. The law recognizes that consent can be withdrawn at any time and makes it clear that silence does not equate to consent.

“It is specified here that consent can be withdrawn. That is, if you were flirting with someone and decided you didn’t anymore and made that clear, and this person continued to make advances, that is harassment,” she pointed out.

She emphasized that in this way, the idea that the responsibility falls on women for not saying “no” is eliminated, and it is established that certain behaviors should not be carried out under any circumstances.

Furthermore, it legally defines what constitutes a sexual act, closing loopholes that allowed for discretionary interpretations and impunity for perpetrators.

On the other hand, for the first time, a new type of digital sexual violence is being created, recognizing that assaults also occur in the virtual realm. Sending unsolicited sexual images, intimidating messages, or harassment on social media will be considered a crime, even when there is no physical contact.

With this modification, authorities will no longer be able to dismiss complaints under the argument that “nothing happened” because they are digital events.

She stressed that fear, intimidation, and transgression are real, and that all physical or digital spaces must be safe for women.

The reform acknowledges that women’s lives have changed, but that violence persists and evolves. Therefore, the ruling seeks to bring to light historically silenced forms of violence and adapt the Penal Code to current realities.

“A vote in favor of this reform is a vote for our friends, sisters, mothers, daughters and granddaughters,” she said during the session, reiterating the message that in Mexico City, if one is touched, everyone responds.

The post Mexico City Congress Codifies Crime of Violence Between Partners, Including Dating Relationships appeared first on Mexico Solidarity Media.

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