Sheinbaum announces "It's not custom, it's violence" campaign against sexual abuse, following assault

MEXICO CITY (apro) – In August 2019, when pressure from civil organizations was growing on the Mexico City government to declare a Gender Violence Alert, the then head of government and now president, Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo, launched the Immediate Action Plan to Address Violence Against Women.

At that time, Sheinbaum Pardo refused to declare the Alert in Mexico City, arguing that it was not necessary, since many actions were being taken in the capital to combat violence against women; although the statistics said otherwise.

The plan included the campaign “It’s not custom, it’s violence,” which Sheinbaum Pardo mentioned this Thursday morning in her press conference at the National Palace.

That campaign will be part of the Comprehensive Plan against Sexual Abuse that her government will launch, after she herself was a victim of sexual harassment last Tuesday while walking through the streets of the Historic Center of Mexico City.

The 2019 Plan included five fundamental areas to be addressed in public transport, public space, security and justice institutions, victim support, and ongoing campaigns.

They highlighted the implementation of a Help Button, the installation of 20,875 streetlights, the bill to create a DNA Bank, and the campaign “It’s not custom, it’s violence.”

In the presentation, on August 28, 2019, Sheinbaum Pardo said that her administration was implementing all actions and public policies to eradicate gender violence and so that girls and women can walk freely and safely through Mexico City.

“The women of our city long to feel safer, and I tell you one thing: I am on their side, as a woman and as a leader,” she said.

She also announced the holding of roundtables, forums and workshops to generate a comprehensive policy for the prevention, care and punishment of gender violence.

However, six years later, sexual harassment and gender violence continue in Mexico City, to the point that the federal president herself was a victim.