Proposal seeks to ban all physical and psychological punishment of minors under Law 136-03

Santo Domingo.- The National Council for Children and Adolescents (CONANI) is advancing a comprehensive reform of Law 136-03, which regulates the protection system for the rights of children and adolescents in the Dominican Republic, with a proposal that establishes a total ban on physical, psychological, moral, and sexual punishment against minors.

The initiative was presented during a socialization meeting held at the National School of the Judiciary (ENJ), where judges and representatives of the Public Ministry reviewed the proposed changes aimed at strengthening the country’s child protection framework.

According to project coordinator Dilia Leticia Jorge Mera, explicitly incorporating the prohibition of all forms of punishment is a central element of the reform, designed to reinforce existing legal safeguards and ensure more effective protection mechanisms for minors.

During the discussion, Judge Vanessa Acosta Peralta of the Supreme Court of Justice highlighted the importance of updating legal frameworks in response to social change, noting that protecting children and adolescents involves guaranteeing not only rights but also dignified life opportunities and long-term development.

CONANI Executive Director Alexandra Santelises also emphasized that the reform seeks to align the law with current social realities and the evolving needs of children and adolescents, strengthening the legal system that supports their protection.

Law 136-03, in force since 2003, establishes the legal framework for children’s rights, family law, juvenile justice, and protection mechanisms. The proposed reform is currently in the consultation and socialization phase with key institutions involved in the child protection system.