Caracterización del campo de estudios sobre violencia de género y justicia penal en América Latina

The objective of this study was to characterize the scientific research on the criminal justice response to gender-based violence in Latin America. The method used corresponded to a systematic review using the PRISMA 2020 protocol (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses). A total of 306 scientific publications were selected, categorized, systematized and analyzed in relation to their object of research, theoretical frameworks, methodological strategies used and findings obtained. The results indicate that this is a recent and limited field of study in relation to other dimensions that have been examined on gender violence in Latin America. Likewise, the research analyzed reveals a particularly critical diagnosis of the criminal justice system, highlighting the gap between legal texts and the practical application of justice, as well as its lack of efficiency and effectiveness in responding adequately to gender-based violence. The discussion points out the need to deepen the studies on the subject, especially from the empirical-methodological approaches, which can illuminate the gaps, barriers and pending challenges so that the normative reforms on the subject advance in relevance and effective application and, on the other hand, to demonstrate the limits of criminal intervention and open new alternatives of response to gender violence, which prevent its occurrence and adequately protect the rights of girls and women.