Buenos Aires, Aug 21 (IANS/EFE): Two Argentine senators presented bills Monday to combat domestic violence that include the so-called "supporting accusation" so that third parties or anyone else involved in a situation of violence can report it.
"In such cases, the judge or court will summon the presumed victim to confirm the accusation while providing all with a witness protection program," Sen. Anibal Fernandez told a press conference.
Fernandez, accompanied by Sen. Elena Corregido, added that the bill also allows children and adolescentes to report "the way they are being victimized to any judicial, police or administrative authority".
"The main goal is to eject the accused from the home and so put an end to the abuse as soon as possible," said Fernandez, who acknowledged that "all the laws that can ever be passed" in that regard "are not enough".
The senators said that the bills also contemplate punishing officials who do not act on reports of gender violence with fines and jail time of up to 30 days, and also create a national register of parents who are delinquent in paying child support.