Mexico: Woman Who Killed Her Rapist in Self Defense Gets 6 Years in Prison; Activists Condemn Ruling

Roxana Ruiz, the Mexican woman who strangled and killed her rapist in 2021, has been sentenced to over six years in prison. Now, activists are decrying the ruling, which her defense team called "discriminatory." The Mexico Woman's attorneys also vowed to appeal it.

Experts and feminist groups condemned the ruling and pointed out that this speaks to how deep the gender-based violence is in the country and Mexico's poor record of bringing perpetrators of sexual violence to justice.

Ruiz's lawyer, Angel Carrera, told the media that the decision sets a bad precedent if it holds, as it basically tells women that they can only defend themselves to a point. "He raped you, but you don't have the right to do anything," he added.

Unlike other rape victims, Ruiz has chosen to be identified publicly as she has participated in public demonstrations led by activists who support her, according to the Associated Press.

Why Did a Mexico Court Sentence Her to 6 Years in Prison?

A Mexican man entered her home, threatened her, and then raped her. However, she fought back and then strangled the rapist, killing him at her home. However, a court in the State of Mexico found that she had "excessive use of self-defense," resulting in the death of the man who raped her.

According to Telegraph, the judge concluded that "a blow on the head" would have been enough to defend herself from her attacker. However, this ruling did not sit well with activists campaigning against violence against women.

"Maybe I was supposed to let my attacker do as he pleased, possibly leaving me dead," said Ruiz in a letter published to the Mexican media after the verdict was made. "I know that I will be sentenced for defending my body, for defending myself as a woman, for having punished my attacker, for not having kept quiet, and for having taken action."

Various Feminist Groups Condemn Verdict on Mexico Woman's Sentencing

A Mexican NGO that aims to combat violence against women, Nos Queremos Vivas (We Want to Stay Alive), slammed the verdict and called it "unfair and lacked a gender perspective." In a statement. it said, "No woman should be jailed for defending lives that the state does not protect."

According to the New York Post, Ruiz's supporters were seen chanting "Justice!" outside the courtroom in Mexico City. They also decried the verdict, which also made the 23-year-old single mother pay over $16,000 in restitution to the family of the man who raped her.

After the verdict was announced, Ruiz addressed her supporters and thanked them, as well as the many feminist groups who had stood by her through the judicial process that had lasted several years. As she spoke to the crowd, she stated that she was thinking of her 4-year-old son.

"My son, I hope to see him again. I hope to stay with him, to be the one who watches him grow up," she said outside the Mexico City courtroom. The decision sparked even more protests as violence against women continue to rise in the country.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

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