The Re-Victimization of Women: How the Globalization of Mediation Has Impacted the Victims of Domestic Violence in Nicaragua

Jessica S. Rodriguez-Montegna, SIT Graduate Institute

Abstract

Domestic violence has long been a widespread problem in Nicaragua. The judicial system has so far failed to alleviate the enduring growth of domestic abuse over the years. Faced with diminutive resources, mediation has been adopted by the Nicaraguan judicial system as a viable option for resolving domestic violence cases in order to reduce the high volume of court cases. This paper will examine the historical and cultural role of women in Nicaragua as a way to better understand the factors which have led to the prevalence of domestic violence. It will also examine the application of mediation as a tool for resolving these cases and evaluate the appropriateness of its use, offering suggestions for improving the effectiveness of mediation in this context.