| GUATEMALA YOUTH AND GENDER JUSTICE PROJECT USAID

i | GUATEMALA YOUTH AND GENDER JUSTICE PROJECT USAID.GOV

USAID.GOV ANNUAL REPORT GUATEMALA YGJP 2019 | ii

ACRONYMS

ACL Adolescents in conflict with the law / Adolescentes en conflicto con la ley penal

AG Attorney General / Fiscal General

Akyun/ CEJAV Akyun Executive Justice Comitee of Alta Verapaz / Akyun /Comité Ejecutivo de

Justicia de Alta Verapaz

ALA The Alliance Association / Asociación La Alianza

AMEP Activities Monitoring and Evaluation Plan / Actividades de Monitoreo y Plan de

Evaluación

AMUTED Association for Women Weaver of Development / Asociación Mujer Tejedora

del Desarrollo

ASOJAV Alta Verapaz Justice Association / Asociación de Justicia de Alta Verapaz

CAIFGUA Integral Attention Center for Guatemalan Family Strengthening/ Centro de

Atención Integral para el Fortalecimiento de las Familias Guatemaltecas

CCI Center for Court Innovation / Centro para Innovación de Cortes

CMM Case Management Model/ Modelo de Gestión de Casos

CEG Guatemalan Studies Center / Centro de Estudios de Guatemala

CEJUFAM Family Justice Center /Centro de justicia de familia

CICAM Women’s Center for Research and Training / Centro de Investigación y

Capacitación de la Mujer

CIDEJ Judicial Branch Information, Development and Statistic Center / Centro de

Información, Desarrollo y Estadística Judicial

CNA National Adoptions Council / Consejo Nacional de Adopciones

COP Chief of Party / Director del Proyecto

CSJ Guatemalan Supreme Court / Corte Suprema de Justicia

CSO/OSC Civil Society Organization / Organización de Sociedad Civil

DAC Criminal Analysis Directorate / Dirección de Análisis Criminal

DAF Family Welfare Department / Departamento de Acogimiento Familiar

DEIC Specialized Division for Criminal Investigation / División Especializada en

Investigación Criminal

DGO Development General Objective / Objetivo General de Desarrollo

DICRI Criminological Research Directorate / Dirección de Investigación Criminológica

ECPAT End Child Prostitution, Child Pornography and Trafficking of Children for Sexual

Purposes / Asociación para la Eliminación de la Pornografía, Turismo y Tráfico

Sexual de Niños, Niñas y Adolescentes

ESEJ Judicial Studies School / Escuela de Estudios Judiciales

ERI Immediate Response Teams / Equipos de Respuesta Inmediata

FG Attorney General / Fiscal General

FNA Boys, Girls and Adolescents Prosecutor / Fiscalía de Niñez y Adolescencia

FPO Specialized Femicide Prosecutors’ Office / Fiscalía contra el Delito de Femicidio

FS Survivors Foundation / Fundación Sobrevivientes

FY Fiscal year / Año fiscal

GBV/VBG Gender-based violence / Violencia Basada en Género

GGM Guatemalan Women’s Group / Grupo Guatemalteco de Mujeres

GOG Government of Guatemala / Gobierno de Guatemala

IDPP Public Defense Institute / Instituto de la Defensa Pública Penal

INACIF National Institute of Forensic Sciences / Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Forenses

INE National Statistical Institute / Instituto Nacional de Estadística

INGUAT Guatemalan Tourism Institute / Instituto Guatemalteco de Turismo

INL Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs/Asuntos

Antinarcóticos y Aplicación de la Ley

iii | GUATEMALA YOUTH AND GENDER JUSTICE PROJECT USAID.GOV

IILA Italian donor agency / Instituto Italo-Amerícano

IPS Social Protection Institute / Instituto de Protección Social

LGBTI Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex / Lesbianas, Gay, Bisexual,

Transgénero e Intersexual

MAI Integral Assistance Model / Modelo de Atención Integral

MAINA Integral Attention Model for Childhood and Adolescence / Modelo de Atención

Integral para la Niñez y Adolescencia

MASI Model for Integral Services to Victims / Modelo de Articulación de Servicios

Integrales

MINGOB Ministry of Government / Ministerio de Gobernación

MINTRAB Labor Ministry / Ministerio de Trabajo

M&E Monitoring and evaluation / Monitoreo y evaluación

MP Public Ministry / Ministerio Público

MSPAS Ministry of Public Health and Social Assistance / Ministerio de Salud y Asistencia

Social

MuJER Women for Justice, Education, and Recognition / Mujeres por la

Justicia y el Reconocimiento

NGO Non-governmental organization / Organización No-Gubernamental

NNA Boys, Girls and Adolescents / Niños, Niñas y Adolescentes

NVPPS/SNPPV National Vulnerable Populations Protection System / Sistema Nacional de

Protección para Poblaciones Vulnerables

OAP Permanent Attention Office / Oficina de Atención Permanente

OAV Office of Victim Assistance / Oficina de Atención a la Víctima

OIM International Organization for Migration / Organización Internacional para las

Migraciones

OJ Guatemala’s Judicial Branch / Organismo Judicial

OMPNA Municipal Protection Offices for Children and Adolescents / Oficinas

Municipales de Protección de la Niñez y Adolescencia

PDH Human Rights Ombudsman / Procuraduría para los Derechos Humanos

PGN Solicitor General’s Office / Procuraduría General de la Nación

PMU Project Management Unit / Unidad de Gerencia del Proyecto

PNA Ombudsman for Childhood and Adolescence / Procuraduría de la Niñez y

Adolescencia

PNC National Civilian Police / Policía Nacional Civil

REDMUCH Network of Chimulteca Women / Red de Mujeres Chimultecas RENAP National Registry of Persons / Registro Nacional de Personas

SAI Integral assistance system / Sistema de atención integral

SBS Social Welfare Secretariat / Secretaría de Bienestar Social

SVET Secretariat Against Sexual Violence, Exploitation, and Trafficking in Persons /

Secretaría contra la Violencia Sexual, Explotación, y Trata de Personas

TDA Transnational Development Associates

TIP Trafficking in persons / Trata de personas

UCMEFJ Judicial Branch’s Unit of Control, Monitoring and Evaluation of Specialized

Bodies on Femicide and Other Forms of Violence against Women / Unidad de

Control y Monitoreo y Evaluación de los órganos especializados en femicidio y

violencia contra la mujer del Organismo Judicial

UNICAP Public Ministry’s Training Unit / Unidad de Capacitación del Ministerio Público

UNICEF United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund / Fondo de las

Naciones Unidas para la infancia

USAID.GOV ANNUAL REPORT GUATEMALA YGJP 2019 | iv

USAID United States Agency for International Development / Agencia de los Estados

Unidos para el Desarrollo Internacional

USG United States Government / Gobierno de los Estados Unidos

VIVA Live Together for Guatemala’s Youth / Viva Juntos por la niñez de Guatemala

WPO Women’s Prosecution Offices / Fiscalías especializadas de la Mujer

YGJP/PJJG Youth and Gender Justice Project / Proyecto Justicia para Juventud y Género

1 | GUATEMALA YOUTH AND GENDER JUSTICE PROJECT USAID.GOV

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ACRONYMS ............................................................................................................................................. ii

I. OVERVIEW OF FY 2019 ..................................................................................................................2

1. Result 1: Government capacity to provide juvenile justice services improved ...............5

II. Result 2: Government of Guatemala services for GBV victims improved ..................... 12

III. Result 3: Government of Guatemala’s response to TIP strengthened ........................... 20

IV. COMMUNICATIONS .................................................................................................................... 24

V. OPERATIONS AND MANAGEMENT ........................................................................................ 25

VI. MONITORING AND EVALUATION ......................................................................................... 34

ANNEXES

Annex A. Success Story: Guatemala inaugurates new protection model for

children and adolescents

Annex B. Organizational chart

USAID.GOV ANNUAL REPORT GUATEMALA YGJP 2019 | 2

I. OVERVIEW FY 2019

The Guatemala Youth and Gender Justice Project (YGJP or the project) is a four-year, eight-month

activity implemented by Chemonics International, together with its partners under the Rule of Law

Indefinite Quantity Contract. The Task Order was awarded on May 20, 2016 by the United States

Agency for International Development (USAID). The main objective of the project is to strengthen the

capacity of the Guatemalan Government and key civil society organizations (CSOs) to strengthen the

justice system and related services to respond to the needs of juvenile offenders and victims, victims of

gender-based violence (GBV), and victims of trafficking in persons (TIP). Grounded in the local systems

responsible for these services, YGJP promotes greater integration and coordination among actors in

support of reducing violence and impunity. The project targets reductions in recidivism among juvenile

offenders and increases in prosecution rates of GBV and TIP. This report describes YGJP’s activities

during Year 3, fiscal year 2019. This executive summary serves three purposes. First, it shares a brief

description of the impact of the recent funding environment on YGJP’s work this year, then it frames

the project’s impact on populations likely to migrate, and finally it provides a short summary of

noteworthy activities and accomplishments in each of the project’s three results.

Recent funding environment and YGJP. During Q3 and Q4 of FY19, there was considerable uncertainty

regarding future funding for YGJP. As a result, the project worked with USAID to develop an

appropriate contingency plan to work within its existing obligation at that time. To do so, the project

dramatically reduced its staffing footprint and closed regional offices while suspending or ending most

grants and subcontracts. Despite these challenges, the project continued to deliver on its mandate for

counterparts and the U.S. government to the maximum extent possible. However, the funding reduction

required that the project necessarily limit the depth and breadth of its support, targeting efforts to

maximize value and impact with a small core set of staff and consultants and limited in-kind support for

counterparts as the end of FY19 approached.

Targeting causes of migration. YGJP is squarely focused on the conditions and populations that directly

contribute to the flow of migrants from Guatemala to the United States. Specifically, the project targets

services for vulnerable populations that are disproportionately impacted by acutely high levels of

violence in Guatemala and therefore more likely to emigrate. These populations, particularly youth and

adolescent victims and offenders, women and other victims of gender-based violence, and victims of

trafficking in persons, consequently, lack faith in justice systems and their ability to provide them

protection they need. Many from within these target populations become or have been migrants, who

themselves constitute a vulnerable group that requires special attention due to high levels of human

mobility.

While there is no single answer to the complex problems facing victims of violence, access to justice can

give them hope and rebuild their confidence in public institutions, which is a necessary condition for

rootedness, or arraigo in Spanish, the quality of settling permanently in a place. Better coordination and

communication among justice sector institutions and civil society creates spaces where victims feel safe

and welcome. For example, it makes it possible for children to live with local, vetted foster families,

rather than in safehouses with hundreds of other children, where their risk of recidivism escalates. For

adolescents it translates into programs where they are welcome and are taught life skills to build a

better future, rather than being drawn into gang life. For many women victims, it can mean an inner

journey to recognize their own courage and gain economic independence, to lead independent lives,


rooted in their communities. Statistics bear out these points.

Guatemala’s Public Ministry indicates that violence against

women is the most reported crime, at an average of 50,000

complaints per year. In 2018 alone, the Ministry received

40,000 complaints related to violence, mistreatment, and

other crimes against children and adolescents. And crime

victimization is insecurity is robustly linked to intentions to

migrate (see box at right).

Result 1: Government capacity to provide juvenile justice services

improved. One of YGJP’s signature accomplishments this year

was the design and launch of the Integral Attention Model

for Childhood and Adolescence, or MAINA—a one-stop-

shop for justice-related services to streamline institutional

responses to the needs of children and adolescent victims of

crime. Housed at the Public Ministry (MP), but with

representation and services from many different justice

institutions, the MAINA serves to co-locate 11 different entities. Examples include a new specialized

prosecutor’s office for children and adolescents (MP), a new specialized court (Organismo Judicial, or

OJ), and related on-site representation from the National Institute of Forensic Sciences (INACIF), the

Ministry of Public Health and Social Assistance, the Solicitor General’s Office (or Procuraduría General

de la Nación, the PGN), the Public Defense Institute (IDPP), and the national police. Likewise, the

Ministry of Social Development, the Social Welfare Secretariat (SBS), the Labor Ministry, and the

Municipality of Guatemala were integrated as part of the case referral network for the attention and

follow-up of niños, niñas, y adolescentes (NNA) referrals by the MAINA. Open 24 hours a day and 365

days a year, since its launch in Q4 of FY19, the MAINA has reduced secondary victimization by as much

as 90 percent and improved the speed and quality of the criminal investigation process (see box below).

Illustrative examples of other important Result 1 initiatives during FY19 included but were not limited to

the following. The project supported the OJ to expand its

new case management model to more than 325 peace

judges, or jueces de paz, in remote areas as well as to help

adapt and implement a risk-need assessment tool for courts

handling adolescentes en conflicto con la ley penal (ACL) cases

that will facilitate alternatives to deprivation of liberty. It also

worked with the SBS to design and implement an alternative

care model; expand and strengthen its foster family program

in several departments, resulting in 118 newly certified

foster families and 103 NNAs placed; and improve its model

and protocols for residential shelters. In addition, the

project trained staff from specialized Women’s Prosecutor

Offices (WPOs) nationwide on how to handle cases

involving NNAs and guided the PGN to design a

management model and protocol for properly handling

NNA cases. Finally, YGJP’s work also helped launch six new

municipal child and adolescent protection offices in Petén

MAINA By the Numbers

With the MAINA, now averaging 17 cases per

day, important processes are far more

efficient. For example:

• Only two interviews with NNA are

necessary, instead of 20 or more

• Average time to provide a psychological

examination down from 24 hours to six

• Time to complete the advance

assessment, or prueba anticipada, down

from 45 days to just 7 hours

• Time to issue orders to detain suspects

reduced from 60 days to 10 hours

• Number of potential hearings for NNA

increased from 1 per week to 16 per day

• Wait times for protection measures

dropped from 3 months to immediately

MIGRATION AND INSECURITY

• The probability that an individual intends

to migrate is 10-15 percentage points

higher for those who have been victims

of crimes more than once (Congressional

Research Service, Latin America

Research Review)

• 30 percent of adults in the Northern

Triangle have considered migrating

specifically due to insecurity recently

(Latin American Public Opinion Project

and Inter-American Dialogue)

• Through September 2019, apprehensions

this year at the US-Mexico border

include 72,873 unaccompanied minors

and 457,871 family units (U.S. Customs

and Border Control)


and transfer the comprehensive support and socialization program for ACL run by project grantee

CAIFGUA, the Integral Attention Center for Guatemalan Family Strengthening, to the SBS.

Result 2: Government of Guatemala’s services for GBV victims improved. This year, the project capitalized on

its earlier effort launching the Integral Assistance Model, or MAI, in the MP by working with WPOs in

Sacatepéquez and Chimaltenango to open “single windows” to serve victims of GBV. It also worked

with the OJ on several fronts, including launching a second specialized court in Guatemala City for

femicide and other violence against women, supporting a new judicial policy for victims of GBV, and

developing a new case management model for peace courts for GBV and intrafamily violence cases.

Other noteworthy efforts included: unifying institutional criteria for GBV cases to promote stronger

interinstitutional coordination among justice sector actors, such as first instance femicide courts, WPOs,

the IDPP, and INACIF; completing an IDPP protocol for gender-based legal defense strategies for

women victims and offenders; producing a guide for more efficient case management based on oral

hearings for CEJUFAM; and continued work with grantees like Fundación Sobrevivientes, the Women’s

Center for Research and Training (CICAM), Women for Justice, Education, and Recognition (MuJER),

and Alta Verapaz Justice Association (ASOJAV) to provide strategic litigation, counseling and

psychological assistance, and improve referral networks.

Result 3: Government of Guatemala’s response to TIP strengthened. In 2019, Guatemala returned to Tier 2 in

the State Department’s Trafficking in Persons Report. YGJP made several contributions to this shift in

classification. With project support, the MP designed and launched a specialized unit dedicated to

investigations and prosecutions of smuggling of migrants. In addition, the project worked on several

other complementary efforts. Examples include its work with the OJ to establish the first specialized TIP

court and tribunal in Guatemala based in Quetzaltenango; work with SVET to design and launch a

national registry system for victims of sexual violence, exploitation, and TIP; developing several

protocols to improve responses to or handling of TIP victims; and, with project grantee ECPAT’s

support, building capacity for prosecution of TIP cases by MP prosecutors. Finally, the project continued

to support two public awareness campaigns aimed at increasing reporting and detection of TIP: the

“Protecting Our Greatest Treasure” campaign with posters and billboards in targeted areas, particularly

roads and hotels, and the “DenunciaLaTrata” campaign, which has reached approximately 20 percent of

Guatemalans to date.


The MAINA serves to co-locate 11 different institutions,

including a new specialized prosecutor’s office for children

and adolescents (Public Ministry), a new specialized court

(OJ), and related on-site representation from INACIF, the

Ministry of Public Health and Social Assistance, the PGN, the

IDPP, and the national police. Likewise, the Ministry of Social

Development, the Social Welfare Secretariat, the Labor

Ministry, and the Municipality of Guatemala were integrated

as part of the case referral network for the attention and

follow-up of NNA referrals by the MAINA. Open 24 hours

a day and 365 days a year, since its launch in Q4 of FY19,

the MAINA has reduced secondary victimization and

improved the speed and quality of the criminal investigation

process, which in turn will reduce impunity. The success

story in Annex A provides more detail. Below we describe

key steps in the MAINA process. See box at right for a

snapshot of ways the MAINA has streamlined processes.

• Design of the conceptual document of the Integral Attention Model for Childhood and

Adolescence (MAINA), based on the MP’s new management model for prosecutors in which

they both investigate and litigate. (September 2018)

• Presentation of the MAINA concept to the potential participant institutions, inviting them to

join the MAINA. (January 2019)

• Preparation and signing of the MAINA Creation Agreement, approved by the Attorney

General. (March 2019)

• Development of an instrument to guide interviews with children in a culturally and

psychologically appropriate manner. (April 2019)

• Preparation and signing of the MAINA interinstitutional cooperation agreement by 11

government institutions: the MP, OJ, PGN, INACIF, IDPP, SBS, MSPAS, MIDES, MINGOB,

MINTRAB, and the Municipality of Guatemala. (June 2019)

• Training of 175 personnel from all participating institutions, supported by UNICAP, including

design and implementation of curriculum and teaching plan. (June-July 2019)

• Purchase and delivery of equipment and furniture for MAINA institutions (OJ, PGN, INACIF,

MSPAS, DEIC, IDPP), including closed circuit rooms for interviews with NNA. (May-June

2019)

• Inauguration of the MAINA, including the U.S. Ambassador to Guatemala, the USAID mission

director, and senior authorities of participating MAINA institutions. (June 2019)

• Design of an interview guide for child victims in closed circuits. (July 2019)

• Design and implementation of public awareness campaign to reduce violence against children.

(July 2019)

• Public presentation of the first MAINA implementation report, including progress and

challenges, and design of a corresponding action plan. (August 2019)

MAINA By the Numbers

With the MAINA, now averaging 17 cases per

day, important processes are far more

efficient. For example:

• Only two interviews with NNA are

necessary, instead of 20 or more

• Average time to provide a psychological

examination down from 24 hours to six

• Time to complete the advance

assessment, or prueba anticipada, down

from 45 days to just 7 hours

• Time to issue orders to detain suspects

reduced from 60 days to 10 hours

• Number of potential hearings for NNA

increased from 1 per week to 16 per day

• Wait times for protection measures

dropped from 3 months to immediately


SOCIAL WELFARE SECRETARIAT (SBS)

During FY2019, YGJP worked with the SBS Temporary Family Welfare Department (DAFT, in Spanish)

to design and implement an alternative care model, which serves to integrate two distinct but

complementary models: one for temporary foster families and one for residential shelters. We explain

YGJP’s efforts to support these latter two models below.

Foster family program. In addition to helping strengthen SBS’s foster family program in the metropolitan

area of Guatemala, in Q4 of FY19 YGJP helped SBS expand the program nationwide, facilitating efforts

to recruit and evaluate families to be accredited as substitute families, particularly in the departments of

Petén, Zacapa, Chiquimula, Quetzaltenango, and Sacatepéquez. DAFT has now accredited 118 foster

families and placed 89 NNA with families in FY19 alone, a result of strong YGJP-supported coordination

between the SBS, PGN, and Courts for Children and Adolescents, and corresponding outreach efforts.

Part of this effort included YGJP’s grant support to Organization Live Together for Guatemala’s Youth

(VIVA). VIVA helped the SBS identify 256 interested families – 60 were accredited, which provided

placements for 30 children. To institutionalize these efforts and ensure their sustainability beyond the

life of project, YGJP worked on two fronts: training SBS departmental headquarters to take ownership

of recruitment and training for foster families and advocating for the recruitment of two multidisciplinary

teams to strengthen DAFT’s ability to recruit, accredit, and follow up with foster families. The two

multidisciplinary teams were subsequently hired by SBS.

Improvement of the residential shelter model. YGJP is also working with SBS to design and implement

improved protocols for attention and treatment of children and adolescents who are housed in SBS

shelters. This is an important effort because, while the SBS’s updated residential shelter model promotes

reducing its residential population of children and moving them to smaller houses or otherwise

eliminating overcrowded facilities, many children remain in such overcrowded facilities and SBS’s

previous protocols do not meet current standards. To further support these changes, YGJP is also

providing technical support and guidance on the necessary construction, implementation, and training of

these protocols.

Development of protocols. The project worked with SBS to develop three complementary protocols this

year. The Attention Protocol for Adolescents under Protection who Consume Psychoactive Substances,

establishes procedures for the attention and immediate disciplinary action appropriate for adolescents

who consume psychoactive substances while under SBS care. The Protocol for the Attention for

Progressive Autonomy and Independent Life of Adolescents helps prepare adolescents in temporary

shelters for an independent life. And the Emergency Protocol for Prevention and Intervention in

Behavioral Emergencies in SBS Residences and Homes provides guidance on managing conflicts or

emergencies. This latter protocol also establishes coordination mechanisms among SBS, PGN, PDH, OJ,

National Civil Police (PNC), Firefighters, and any entity with a role to play in preventing harm to NNAs.

SOLICITOR GENERAL’S OFFICE (PGN)

YGJP worked with the Ombudsman for Childhood and Adolescence (PNA) of the PGN to design a

model to enable the orderly management and handling of files, develop administrative protections, and

avoid judicialization and institutionalization. In the process, YGJP also worked with the PNA to establish


a coordination mechanism with the specialized judges responsible for cases involving child victims to,

where possible, more quickly provide administrative resolution.

In addition, the project helped develop and implement an action protocol for the operations unit of the

Alba-Keneth National Alert System Coordinator, which involved establishing operating procedures for

PGN staff in cases of the approximately 5,000 children reporting missing every year.

The YGJP also helped the PGN design, train, and launch a special PGN unit dedicated to the MAINA.

This contingent of PGN staff enables the MAINA to complete basic searches for family resources for

NNA victims and allows participation by the PGN in the closed-circuit interviews of NNA victims from

adjacent rooms, thereby avoiding additional interviews and secondary victimization.

NATIONAL ADOPTIONS COUNCIL (CNA)

This year, YGJP provided technical assistance to the CNA for the development of an institutional

strategic plan for the next four years, as well as two complementary operating plans for the current year

and the upcoming four-year period. The main changes proposed under these plans include the below.

• Focus CNA on NNA needs, particularly their human rights.

• Inclusion of adoption in the macro public policies of the Government. (Currently, adoption

does not appear in the most important government policies.)

• Improve the registration system of children that are institutionalized (approximately 5,000) and

adoptable (approximately 240).

• Streamline procedures, including design of an automated mechanism for households to update

online information about sheltered NNA.

• Decentralize services to allow easier access for more Guatemalans nationwide.

HUMAN RIGHTS OMBUDSMAN (PDH)

This year, YGJP worked with the PDH’s Ombudsman’s Office for Children to develop a home

supervision protocol, currently in the PDH’s review and validation process. This protocol includes care

routes based on international standards to guide practices in ACL safe houses and juvenile detention

centers and ensure proper crises care for ACL in these locations.

MUNICIPAL PROTECTION SYSTEMS

During FY 2019, YGJP continued its grant support to the Social Protection Institute (IPS). Previously, IPS

had created 20 Municipal Protection Offices for Children and Adolescents (OMPNAs) in the

Departments of Petén and Huehuetenango. This year, IPS opened six new OMPNAs in the Department

of Petén (Flores, San José, San Andrés, La Libertad, Melchor de Mencos, and Las Cruces), which account

for 4,951 NNA cases. These facilities provide critical functions, including identification, collection,

referral, and follow-up of complaints filed for abuse, sexual violence, exploitation, TIP, and human rights

violations against NNA. While the project needed to end support for this grant earlier than expected

due to funding uncertainty in the summer of FY19, IPS met its target of 26 total OMPNAs.


CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC

In 2018, YGJP supported the design and development of the National System for the Comprehensive

Protection of Childhood and Adolescence, presented to Guatemala’s Congress and registered under the

number of Law Initiative 5285. In FY19, the project joined a small committee that promotes the

approval of the corresponding congressional act—No. 5285—in cooperation with World Vision, the

Centro de Estudios de Guatemala, UNICEF, El Refugio de la Niñez, and Save the Children. Specifically, YGJP

and the committee supported a package of amendments to the initiative.

1.2 SUBSYSTEM FOR ADOLESCENTS IN CONFLICT WITH THE LAW (ACL)

The ACL subsystem is comprised mainly of the MP, OJ, SBS, and IDPP. With these institutions, the

project focuses on improving protocols and methodologies to better address the unique needs and risks

of adolescents and, when possible, encourage expanded use alternatives to incarceration.

PUBLIC MINISTRY (MP)

Adolescents in Conflict with the Criminal Law (ACL) Prosecutor's Office. This year, the project worked with

the ACL prosecutor's office, particularly the MP’s criminal policy secretariat, to implement a new

management model. Efforts included:

• Case study methodology staff training for the ACL Prosecutor's Office in coordination with

the Center for Court Innovation (CCI) on use of the risk-needs assessment tool, designed

with YGJP support

• Revising and updating flowcharts, including related printing and dissemination

• Preparation of staff profiles for the ACL Prosecutor's Office

• Adjustments to the Public Ministry Information System (SICOMP)

• Training 41 staff of the Extortion, Femicide, Women and ACL Prosecutors’ Offices who

litigate ACL cases

Unification and standardization of ACL models being promoted by various donor organizations. The Attorney

General requested YGJP support to harmonize the various models that have been developed by and for

the juvenile justice system with the support of donor institutions—INL, USAID, IILA, and UNICEF). In

response, the YGJP coordinated amongst these donors to produce a common, unified model. This

document was approved by all institutions that form part of the juvenile justice system and the

participating four donor organizations. It should be noted that, as USG agencies with common goals,

USAID and INL collaborated fully on this initiative.

JUDICIAL BRANCH (OJ)

In FY19, YGJP implemented the new case management model in ACL Courts across the country, similar

to what the project did with the OJ’s specialized child courts described above in Section 1.2. By

promoting oral procedures and avoiding excessive written and complex procedures, this model served

to expedite hearings and promote efficiencies while reducing the length of incarceration for ACL by

improving interinstitutional coordination and optimizing resources. As part of this process, on February

12 the senior officials of all main juvenile justice system institutions signed an interinstitutional

agreement to authorize the use of video hearings for ACL. With video hearings, ACL can provide


testimony to a judge directly from the center where he or she is held. This avoids unnecessary delays

for travel and, in many cases, risky transfers of ACL that must attend hearings in courts in-person in the

interior of the country. To support implementation, the project contributed in

equipment and furniture to enable video hearings in four juvenile detention centers and eight courts

nationwide – so far, 177 ACL have participated in such hearings.

In February, YGJP carried out interviews with ACL in the First Court of ACL in Guatemala City, as part

of the implementation of the risk-need methodology. This methodology aims to improve adolescents’

intake profiles when they first establish contact with the courts, and through this tool seek the

community resources that allow their education and total insertion to society, avoiding a high

percentage of incarcerated ACL. This methodology was institutionalized in the Integrated Juvenile Justice

System which was approved by the High-Level Roundtable of Juvenile Justice in September of this year,

which guarantees its continuity.

SOCIAL WELFARE SECRETARIAT (SBS)

With the SBS Sub-Secretariat of Reintegration and Directorate for Socio-educational Measures, this year

YGJP focused on training 123 professionals in up to date ACL resocialization methods for ACL. This set

of professionals, including psychologists, social workers, educators and lawyers from many different

departments, were then charged with reaching ACL as part of the SBS’s ACLP reintegration processes.

Over the course of the year, these trainees reach ACL in Alta Verapaz, Baja Verapaz, Petén, Zacapa,

Puerto Barrios, Quetzaltenango, Sololá, Huehuetenango, San Marcos, Suchitepéquez, Guatemala,

Escuintla, Chimaltenango, Santa Rosa, Quiché, Sacatepéquez and Jutiapa. These professionals provide

services to 1,256 ACL who must be reintegrated into society, nationwide.

ACL reinsertion program. To support juvenile justice institutions' efforts to offer alternatives to

incarceration for ACL, in late 2017 YGJP issued a grant to the Integral Attention Center for Guatemalan

Family Strengthening (CAIFGUA). Under the grant, the organization implemented a reinsertion program

for ACL referred by the MP, Public Defense Institute (IDPP), and OJ. CAIFGUA provides adolescents

with psychological treatment, pedagogical support, counseling, and skills and language training, but also

works with ACL families, who are critical to ensuring a successful reinsertion process. In early FY19, the

first group of 50 adolescents graduated from CAIFGUA's program. Representatives from the SBS, the

MP, OJ, and the IDPP were present at the event to demonstrate their support for the adolescents and

for non-custodial measures. From Oct 2018 to Sep 2019, a total of 225 ACL participated in CAIFGUA's

program and to date only two have re-offended. With CAIFGUA, YGJP is now working to transfer

CAIFGUA’s methods to the SBS so that it is able to provide similar non-custodial services and ensure

sustainability of the effort’s impact and experience.

PUBLIC DEFENSE INSTITUTE (IDPP)

Between March and April 2019, the YGJP worked with the IDPP to complete implementation of its ACL

Protocol of Procedures of the IDPP in all IDPP offices nationwide. The project also completed training

for 138 public defenders who litigate cases of ACL in Guatemala, Chiquimula and Quetzaltenango. In

addition, the project also worked with IDPP to develop and present its ACL implementation module to

the ACL Unit, which will strengthen the approach of cases now underway and promote alternatives to

deprivation of liberty.


In addition, with the Control, Monitoring and Evaluation Unit of the Specialized Femicide Crimes and

Other Forms of Violence against Women jurisdiction (UCMEFJ), during the first half of FY19 YGJP

developed an action plan to improve court operations, particularly 24-hour courts. Efforts included:

• Identify problems and potential solutions with staff of the six 24-hour courts;

• Visits to the six 24-hour courts to gauge effectiveness in the management model’s

implementation.

• Integration workshop and strengthening of the Audience Management System with six courts.

• Donation of furniture and equipment for the 24-hour court in Gerona.

• Inter-institutional coordination meetings involving the WPO and the UCMEFJ, in order to

harmonize criteria for unilateral hearings, restraining orders and other security measures,

initial declarations, and the time period for attention to victims.

• Training workshops with judicial staff to strengthen their handling of femicide cases. For

example, in June and July 2019, YGJP led three regional workshops with both the UCMEFJ and

the Judicial Studies School (ESEJ) for 60 judicial staff on "Management of Electronic Evidence

and New Technologies in Justice.” And in August, YGJP helped ESEJ train 36 judicial officers in

"New Technologies and Computer Crimes.”

• Expansion of specialized justice jurisdiction coverage at national level

• Judicial roundtables to promote inter-agency coordination, improved case management and

victim’s attention.

In addition, on June 7, 2019 YGJP supported the OJ’s launch of the Second (Pluri-Personal) Tribunal for

Femicide and Other Types of Violence against Women in Guatemala City. The new Tribunal will

incorporate three new judges and allow improved access to specialized justice, speed up judicial

processes, and reduce the current backlog of GBV cases in Guatemala City. As part of this effort, YGJP

trained Tribunal’s staff on specialized attention with gender perspective.

MP-OJ-IDPP COORDINATION IN GBV CASES

To promote expedited justice and better attention to victims of GBV, YGJP is supporting greater

collaboration between the MP, OJ, and IDPP to develop unified, institutional criteria on improving GBV

case management. To this end, YGJP facilitated roundtable discussions in Chimaltenango,

Quetzaltenango, and Suchitepéquez led by justice personnel and attended by representatives of all public

institutions that compose the criminal justice system specialized on Violence against Women. These

discussions focused on ways to improve case management and systematize good practices, considering

the local interinstitutional context. As part of this process, YGJP supported a SWOT analysis focused on

women’s access to justice in every region. Key outcomes of this analysis and the complementary

discussions included:

• The first instance specialized courts will work with justice of the peace courts to improve

urgent investigations in cases of sexual violence and violence against women.

• WPOs will improve coordination between investigating and litigating prosecutors.

• Justice of the peace courts will turn over GBV cases more quickly to WPOs.

• MP prosecutors will establish clear lines of investigation and employ a gender perspective.


• Next quarter work will begin on unifying criteria for the use of Gesell Chambers and the

implementation of electronic notifications.

In addition, in order to increase the number of notifications in the specialized femicide courts, the YGJP,

in coordination with the UCMEFJ and the Judicial Branch Information, Development and Statistics

Center (CIDEJ); implemented an electronic notification box in femicide courts and tribunals in the

departments where coordination roundtables were implemented.

INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC PENAL DEFENSE (IDPP)

YGJP completed a protocol for the IDPP for gender-based legal defense strategies for women victims

and offenders. The protocol provides public defenders with guidelines to detect GBV cases and establish

appropriate defense strategies where women are the victims of structural violence or unequal power

relations. The proposed defense strategies were discussed and validated in workshops held on April

2019 in Guatemala City with 32 public defenders.

2.2 ATTENTION FOR GBV VICTIMS

YGJP continued to strengthen the specialized care models implemented by MP and OJ, and support

services for GBV victims provided by civil society organizations, both in primary and secondary care, and

in support of strategic litigation and shelters.

PUBLIC MINISTRY (MP)

In March of 2018, the MP inaugurated its new Integral Assistance Model (MAI) facilities in Gerona,

Guatemala City, a major step toward more victim-centered access to justice for thousands of

Guatemalans. At the beginning of 2019, with YGJP support, the Attorney General endorsed

implementing the new “single window” MAI-style route in the WPOs of Sacatepéquez and

Chimaltenango. On May 8, 2019, the MP’s Secretary for Women’s Issues and the District Attorney for

Chimaltenango inaugurated these “single window” services in the WPOs of Sacatepéquez and

Chimaltenango. These facilities feature dedicated teams that provide specialized and streamlined

attention to victims during their initial MP visit. To support this effort, YGJP drew on its experience

launching the MAI-Gerona in 2018 to design the physical space and identify the personnel required to

support their operation. For example, by strategically placing the physical “single window” facilities

adjacent to playrooms, GBV victims can access services and guidance with the confidence that their

children are safe, secure, and even visible in close proximity. As part of this effort, YGJP provided

training to WPO staff and provided the equipment and furniture for these new offices and their

accompanying play areas.

JUDICIAL BRANCH (OJ)

Judicial policy for the attention of GBV victims. This year, YGJP supported the design of the Judicial Policy for

the Attention of GBV Victims of Femicide, Violence Against Women, and Sexual Violence and the

accompanying strategic plan for 2019-2023. This policy aims to improve attention services for GBV

victims, prevent, punish, and eradicate violence against women and NNA, and reduce secondary

victimization. Both documents were approved by the magistrates of the SCJ in November 2018. The

policy was publicly launched on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women,


emphasizing the SCJ’s commitment to raise awareness for the prevention and eradication of violence

against women.

In February 2019, the project then helped the OJ to promote the policy through public presentations in

Quetzaltenango and Zacapa. A total of 400 judicial officials and other members of the specialized

criminal justice system were present during the events. YGJP also worked with the SCJ to create a

roundtable focused on the policy’s implementation, formally inaugurated on May 23 with 40 judicial

personnel from 18 different units of the OJ, i the SCJ.

Family Justice Center (CEJUFAM) in Quetzaltenango. During FY2018, YGJP supported the creation of the

CEJUFAM in the Department of Quetzaltenango, delivering more efficient and specialized attention with

humane and cultural competency in the family justice area. CEJUFAM’s new case handling model has

dramatically reduced case processing time in several procedures, for example, from 18 months to 45

days for paternity-related proceedings, and from three months to five days in alimony enforcement

proceedings. During FY2019, YGJP assisted the First Instance Multi-Person Family Court in the

CEJUFAM and a Monitoring and Evaluation Commission in producing guides for the implementation and

evaluation of the new oral hearings model. The project is also promoting the dissemination of best

practices identified through the success of the CEJUFAM, for example, by facilitating a delegation of the

OJ’s Department of Family Affairs (DGF), to the CEJUFAM. This visit resulted in the OJ’s decision to

send judges and court staff from the new Divorce and Alimony Courts in Guatemala City to participate

in training sessions in CEJUFAM from February 11-13 to learn about best practices.

On April 25, 2019, on a trip organized by CARE. USA, three U.S. Congressional Representatives visited

CEJUFAM and learned about its streamlined and interinstitutional approach towards improving attention

for and services to victims and their families in areas such as family violence, responsible parenting, and

child pensions. The representatives also met with female community leaders trained by YGJP grantee,

the Association for Women Weavers of Development (AMUTED).

Specialized Training for First Instance Family Judges. During FY2019, 35 family judges from across the

country completed and approved an online refresher course on divorce and GBV proceedings designed

by the project, in collaboration with the Civil Chamber of the Supreme Court, the Family Affairs Unit,

and the School of Judicial Studies. During a virtual training in June 2019, judges actively participated in

the creation and validation of a guide for the preparation of divorce claims or applications, as well as

approved module on effective protection of women victims of violence in Guatemala.

Specialized GBV Attention Model for Justice of the Peace (JP) Courts. In June 2019, YGJP provided assistance

to the OJ’s SWI to evaluate the quality of access to justice for GBV victims in 10 JP courts in five

departments of Guatemala (see box). As a result, the president of the OJ approved the implementation

of a Specialized Attention Model for JP courts, which standardizes procedures and focuses on providing

efficient and specialized attention with due regard for gender, cultural differences, and age. It also

requires adequate training of judges and court staff,

as well as enhanced inter-institutional coordination.

In July 2019, the implementation of the new model

was kickstarted through on-site visits to each of the

10 JP courts, providing practical exercises to the

judicial staff. The expected results include:

improved specialized attention to women victims of

Evaluated JP Courts

• Guatemala. San Miguel Petapa, Santa Catarina Pinula

• Petén. San Andres, San José

• Chiquimula. Olopa, San Juan La Ermita

• Alta Verapaz. Cahabón, San Cristobal Verapaz

• San Marcos. Tacaná, Tajumulco


GBV and family violence; creation of local attention routes; and mapping of local institutions to improve

inter-institutional coordination at the local level as well as victim care and case follow-up. With this

model, JP courts will be able to provide proper attention and access to justice with a gender and cultural

perspective to populations in vulnerable conditions in remote areas.

SERVICES FOR GBV VICTIMS PROVIDED BY CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANIZATIONS

During Year 3, YGJP promoted actions to strengthen the quality and types of services provided to GBV

victims, specifically: 1) victim support through strategic litigation on their behalf; and 2) direct attention

to victims in first-line attention and the second in complementary attention through referral networks.

Due to the funding shortage in July 2019, YGJP suspended grants and subcontracts with CSOs.

Support to victims through strategic litigation. Since 2017, YGJP has partnered with Fundación

Sobrevivientes to provide technical assistance to MP staff in order to improve the quality of litigation of

GBV cases. During Year 3, FS provided technical assistance to MP on 59 GBV cases—exceeding its

original target of 52 cases. Of these cases, 37 were from the Guatemala metropolitan area, and 22 from

Chimaltenango. FS is also advising the District Attorney’s Offices in Cobán and Huehuetenango in two

cases of sexual violence against indigenous girls. See box at right for a breakdown of supported cases.

For disaggregated data on victims’ ages and other details, see the YGJP M&E report for

FY19.Additionally, in FY2019, FS organized 8 courses

for the MP on a variety of topics related to GBV

investigation and litigation, including one on scientific

and technical elements of evidence that was taught by

specialists of National Institute of Forensic Sciences

(INACIF). 75 prosecutors and fiscal assistants from

Villa Nueva, Chimaltenango, Huehuetenango, and

Cobán attended these courses. Finally, FS produced a

litigation guide for prosecutors in femicide cases,

which includes the toolkit developed by FS in the last few years to strengthen prosecutorial

performance and improve the perception of justice in victimized families. It articulates the approach to

strategic litigation in femicide, including the focus on children/adolescents and the perspective of gender

and culture.

Direct assistance to victims. YGJP’s strategy for FY19 continued to leverage the skills and abilities of several

grantees capability of providing direct assistance to victims. These are described in brief below.

• CICAM. Via CICAM, YGJP offered psychological assistance, legal services, and/or alternative

therapies, to victims of GBV through four attention centers in Guatemala, Chimaltenango,

Chiquimula, and Alta Verapaz. Under its grant with YGJP, CICAM was tasked with

strengthening the MP’s referral networks for victims three prioritized departments:

Chiquimula, Chimaltenango, and Alta Verapaz. CICAM worked with these networks to

improve their registration of victims, their understanding of the relation between victim and

aggressor, and to better understand the different types of aggressions and which institutions

are the most appropriate to help different types of victims. Illustrative results include more

than 1,000 GBV victims served, more than 300 women supported with individualized or group

therapy sessions, and four strengthened referral networks with 118 members better prepared

to work in concert with one another through structured protocols and analytical

methodologies together.

Strategic litigation by the numbers (FY19)

• Sexual assault: 6 cases

• Femicide: 11 cases

• Homicide: 1 case

• Rape: 30 cases

• Violence against women: 10 cases

• Investigations in process: 1 case


• AMUTED. With Asociación Mujer Tejedora del Desarrollo (AMUTED), a CSO in

Quetzaltenango that provides legal counsel and emotional support in native languages and with

traditional Mayan techniques for women victims of violence, YGJP provided legal counsel for

GBV victims referred by the Women Prosecutor’s Office and the Indigenous Women’s

Defender. In addition to providing counsel, AMUTED conducted workshops for 129 victims

and their families to seek healing in communal and familial settings within the Maya tradition.

• MuJER. During Year 3, Women for Justice, Education, and Recognition (MuJER), a community-

based CSO in Guatemala City with 13 years of experience defending the rights of female sex

workers, migrant women, and women GBV survivors, provided information, counseling, and

legal and psychological assistance to victims of GBV. MuJER led “Face to Face” sessions in

which their staff visited red light districts to have brief conversations with sex workers on how

to deal with GBV and where to file a complaint or seek help. Also, in collaboration with

several other CSOs, MuJER set up two information booths in “red” districts of Guatemala City

to provide information, legal assistance, medical services, and orientation to sexual workers

and migrant women. Through these efforts, the project has provided services to more than

1,000 sex workers in Guatemala City. Other key results include legal support, specialized

multidisciplinary care, and related travel support for more than 40 GBV victims as well as

training and related support for more than 244 municipal and social leaders to assist women

victims of violence along attention routes.

• ASOJAV. Through its grant to Alta Verapaz Justice Association (ASOJAV), signed in February

2019, YGJP supported a temporary shelter for Q’eqchi GBV victims, named Ak’ Yu’am (New

Life, in Q’eqchi), where victims receive attention in their own language. ASOJAV strengthens

the multidisciplinary team of the shelter by training them on legal and psychological topics.

During the short span of this grant, YGJP strengthened the Integral Care Model of the Ak'

Yu'am Shelter, so as to provide comprehensive care with cultural relevance, including legal,

psychological, social, and educational assistance. 1,432 actions were provided to GBV survivors

(all Q'eqchi' women). During this Quarter, 76 women and NNA were housed at Ak' Yu'am.

ASOJAV also conducted an education campaign targeting women’s groups, community leaders,

and health staff.

Follow-up attention through referral networks. In Year 3, the YGJP provided technical assistance to ten (10)

referral networks—informal groups of multidisciplinary, governmental and non-governmental

organizations, supported by the MP, that provide attention to victims and coordinate the provision of

integrated services. YGJP helped these referral networks to standardize their attention routes for

women victims by updating information on service providers in the corresponding regions and diagnose

the capacity of service providers. To improve services and better address victims’ needs, YGJP worked

with 28 referral networks to survey victims and design a risk-need assessment to identify and measure

the various risks to which GBV victims are exposed. YGJP is also supporting improvements of the MP’s

decades-old referral system, by providing technical assistance for the design of the "Model for Integral

Services to Victims" (MASI). Through the MASI, the needs of victims that arrive to the MP will be

identified so that the appropriate organization can be contacted and referred to, and MASI staff will

accompany the victim throughout the attention process.

Lastly, YGJP is also working with the MP’s Victim Attention Unit (DCAV) to develop a risk-need

assessment tool that evaluates the situation and risk of GBV victims who come to the MP and may

require protection. The instrument, currently under consideration by the MP, analyzes the victim’s

situation, identifies critical services for the victim, and provides evidence to analyze requests for security


measures or shelter. Once approved, the project will help deploy the new instrument in priority

regions.

2.3. PREVENTION

The YGJP prevention strategy for FY2019 focused on improving coordination among actors (e.g. civil

society and institutions), supporting access to justice policies, and designing strategies to prevent GBV.

Isabel Claudina Alert. Since its creation in August 2018, the Isabel Claudina Alert (ICA) a national search

mechanism for missing women, has received more than 1,500 reports of missing women, 75% of which

eventually were found. During FY2019, YGJP helped the SWI design and publish 2,000 informational

posters describing how the ICA Mechanism operates. The project also published 2,000 compendiums on

the Law for the Immediate Search of Missing Women and of the MP General Instruction 9-2018.

Information and outreach. In observance of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against

Women in November, YGJP provided the SCJ with informational material to give to GBV victims

through the OJ’s Integral Assistance System (SAI). The material, which includes information on women’s

rights, filing complaints, existing security measures and where/how to request them, and the available

legal processes to receive adequate compensation, was distributed by the OJ nationally.

Constitutional Court access to justice policy for vulnerable populations. YGJP worked with the Constitutional

Court's Unit for the Attention of Vulnerable Peoples to draft the Policy for Access to Constitutional

Justice for the Persons in Vulnerable Conditions 2019-2023. This policy seeks to promote and guarantee

access to constitutional justice for people in vulnerable conditions with equity, equality and affirmative

institutional actions. The policy was presented on April 10, 2019 by the outgoing president of the

constitutional court and will be handed over to the incoming president for follow-up and

implementation.


The system includes modules for data visualization and data management and allow SVET to produce a

detailed and updated record of each TIP case it receives. This information will serve to better

understand the TIP phenomenon in Guatemala by providing information that can be analyzed to

determine which modalities most affect the population, the means used by traffickers to capture victims,

and victims’ needs for proper assistance and protection. As part of their subcontract, Glorsys also

digitized SVET records of victims of sexual violence, exploitation and TIP that formerly existed only in

hard copy, completed the reports module of the system, and produced the systems’ manuals. In Q4, the

system was close to completion and turned over to SVET and its staff trained for its use.

3.4. CRIMINAL PROSECUTION AND PUNISHMENT

Institutional strengthening. During FY2019, YGJP worked closely with local grantee, ECPAT, on

strengthening the capacity of the MP. Through ECPAT, trainings were conducted with emphasis on TIP

and cases involving drug trafficking, money laundering, domain extinction, women, NNA, administrative

crimes, and femicide. To further strengthen the MP’s ability in handling TIP cases, YGJP prepared training

materials for staff from the prosecution’s office and Criminal Analysis Unit, with special emphasis on

recovering evidence necessary for prosecution. These trainings and materials were replicated in regional

prosecutor’s office throughout the country (e.g. Retalhuleu, Quetzaltenango and Zacapa). Overall, the

training materials developed by YGJP have been well received by the MP. Specifically, in FY2019 the AG

expressed her satisfaction proposed materials for criminal prosecution of TIP crimes and instructed an

MP team to institutionalize it with two UNICAP teachers and personnel from the Section Prosecutor's

Office (one prosecutor, two Criminological Research Directorates (DICRIs) and one Criminal Analysis

Directorate (DAC). As a result, the modules presented by YGJP will continue be used in the MP’s TIP

specialized workshops and training processes into the future. A total of 142 personnel from the MP

were trained throughout FY2019; 100 by ECPAT and 42 by other project staff and consultants.

MP Unit Against Smuggling of Migrants. YGJP provided technical assistance to the MP for the creation of a

unit within the TIP Prosecutor’s Office specifically dedicated to combatting the smuggling of migrants.

On April 22nd the AG issued Agreement No. 19-2019, whereby the Unit to Combat the Smuggling of

Migrants was officially created. On May 15th with support from the project, the MP organized a public

event jointly with the AG of El Salvador and with the Assistant AG of Honduras to announce the

deployment of Guatemala’s new Anti-Smuggling Unit, as well as the signing of a trilateral cooperation

agreement between the MPs of the three countries to combat the smuggling of migrants in the

Northern Triangle. Guatemala’s new anti-smuggling unit has been granted by the AG the authority to

lead and carry out strategic and operational investigations in cases related to illegal smuggling of migrants

at the national, regional, and international level. It can also exercise legal action and prosecute these

cases, as well as coordinate with other institutions actions of assistance and legal protection for victims

of this crime. At the technical recommendation of YGJP, the agreement creating the Anti-Smuggling Unit

was modified by MP Agreement 43-2019, allowing for the possibility of its expansion in the future

through the creation of regional offices. During FY19 Q3, YGJP donated furniture and equipment for the

unit, helping to quickly “make-ready” the new office.

Identifying TIP victims with the help of civil society organizations. During FY19, YGJP meet with CSOs El

Refugio de la Niñez and Alianza Guatemala, both of which run shelters for TIP victims, to identify best

practices to obtain strong initial depositions from victims of trafficking, accompany them to obtain

evidence and identify people and places, and improve communication with the MP for opportune


prosecution. As a result of these meetings, YGJP produced a draft proposal of guidelines to help shelters

(both public and private) manage TIP cases and submitted it to the TIP Prosecutor’s Office during

FY19Q3, which is currently pending approval.

Judicial chamber. With support from the project, on June 3, Magistrates of the Supreme Court of Justice

inaugurated the first ever Court and Tribunal specialized in TIP cases of Guatemala, located in

Quetzaltenango. This will strengthen Guatemala’s capacity to investigate, prosecute and punish criminal

structures in order to strengthen democracy, security and governance in the region. Prior to the

inauguration, YGJP trained a total of 50 judges from eight departments in the western region on TIP and

how to standardize coordination processes with the soon to be inaugurated TIP court and tribunal.


IV. COMMUNICATIONS

During Year 3, the communications assistant designed various infographics and materials highlighting the

work under the project components, including:

• graphic design for the specialized justice care model

• infographic of GOG efforts to combat TIP

• brochure of services available for GBV victims in Petén

• timeline of activities conducted under the grant with CAIFGUA

• summary of work carried out under the grant with AMUTED

• GBV grants for care to victim's infographic

• infographic of the overall coverage and scope of the mass media campaign to increase TIP

awareness, carried out in coordination with PDH

• results of the anti-sexual exploitation campaign, “Protecting our Most Valuable Treasure”

(Protegiendo Nuestro Mayor Tesoro), carried out in support of SVET.

Throughout the year, the assistant submitted weekly updates, weekly events calendars, and messages for

USAID’s Twitter and Facebook pages. The communications assistant regularly accompanied project staff

to events and activities to gather inputs for success stories and other communications materials, and

provided direct design and editing services.

Please refer to Annex A for the success story “Guatemala inaugurates new protection model for Childhood

and Adolescence.”


• June marked the first round of Guatemala’s general election. On June 17, the project office in

El Petén was closed in anticipation of potential protests in the project office’s building, which

also served as a voting center.

• In September, the International Commission Against Impunity in Guatemala (CICIG) had their

results presentations, which were interrupted by protesters in Guatemala City.

Home office support. In November 2018, a home office grants specialist visited the project to provide orientation

and training to YGJP Grants staff and Contracts Coordinator, who has taken on Grants responsibilities. With

this Home Office support, the project was able to accelerate negotiations and modifications with grantees

CICAM, CAIFGUA, and IPS. Chemonics provides continual support to the YGJP project staff through the home

office project management unit and corporate support staff.

5.2. CONSULTANTS

Between October 1, 2018 and September 30, 2019, the project contracted multiple short-term third

country national and local consultants to carry out a variety of activities in line with the approved work

plan, find these listed below:

• Capacity building for PDH personnel to improve supervision and monitoring of ACL centers

and safe houses

• Strengthening of TIP-related crime investigation and prosecution

• Strengthening of the Alba-Keneth System in the Ombudsman for Children and Adolescents,

PGN

• Technical assistance for the institutional transformation of the CNA

• Preparation of inter-institutional emergency protocol for SBS protection homes and shelters

• Preparation of personnel profiles for the MP Prosecutor’s Office for ACLP

• Technical assistance to develop a module on evolutionary psychology and psycho-legal

strategies regarding ACL for defenders

• Development and implementation of five training modules and a syllabus for judicial studies on

NNA for the OJ

• Implementation of integral attention model for NNA for the MP

• Document on the systematization and unification of the juvenile justice system

• Monitoring entry of statistical information generated by the Courts for Childhood and

Adolescence and ACL into the OJ’s Court Management System

5.3. SUBCONTRACTS

US SUBCONTRACTS

Transnational Development Associates (TDA). Under this Subcontract, TDA provides leadership,

coordination, and technical support to YGJP in the planning, implementation, and ongoing monitoring of

programming as it relates to Component 2, court administration, and the creation and consolidation of

the National Vulnerable Populations Protection System (NVPPS). Due to the funding shortage, TDA


reduced its technical visits to Guatemala by senior expert consultants. Nevertheless, through the GBV

Component Leader on staff, TDA continues to provide specialized technical assistance to improve

Government of Guatemala (GOG) Services for GBV victims. The period of performance for this

subcontract is June 1, 2016 through January 31, 2021.

Center for Court Innovation (CCI). Under this subcontract CCI provides technical assistance, drawing on

best practices and lessons learned from other Latin American and international references to introduce

innovative ideas to reform the juvenile justice system and increase access to justice for GBV survivors.

Due to the funding shortage, the project issued a stop work order to CCI in July to freeze operations

under this subcontract until there is greater availability of funds and we can reinitiate the planned

activities. The period of performance for this subcontract is from December 15, 2016 through

December 31, 2020.

LOCAL SUBCONTRACTS

Fundación Sobrevivientes (FS). Under this subcontract FS contributes to strengthening the GOG’s litigation

strategy and increasing accusations and sentences in GBV, sexual violence, and femicide cases.

Modification No. 4 was signed in January to increase deliverables, increase the contract value, and to

extend the term of the subcontract through July 2020. Due to the funding shortage, in July 2019, the

project issued a stop work order, suspending activities under the subcontract until further notice. FS

successfully delivered product eleven, the final deliverable paid prior to suspension of the subcontract.

This fixed price subcontract with a period of performance from April 2017

to July 2020.

La Fábrica.com. This fixed price subcontract to develop and implement a mass media campaign increasing

awareness of TIP ended satisfactorily in January 2019. Under this subcontract, La Fábrica.com managed

the design and reproduction of communication materials, and the definition of a media strategy, which

includes social media networks (YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, Google ads), radio, cable TV, text

messages/mobile telephones, print, and outdoor banners (for rickshaws and minibuses). A final report

was submitted, including a summary of the overall coverage and scope resulting from the

implementation of the campaign.

GLORSYS. Under this subcontract, which concluded in August 2019, GLORSYS developed and

implemented a set of systems to automate SVET’s TIP information management processes. Under this

subcontract, GLORSYS created the Web Records Management System, which includes the following

modules: Document Management and Victims’ Registration, Data Management Registration, Data

Analysis and Visualization. The subcontractor also scanned files for SVET shelters and trained all staff

that will use the system.

Contadores Públicos y Auditores (CPA) Consultores Empresariales. Execution of this subcontract continues

satisfactorily, with Chemonics having received financial statements through July 2019 by the end of the

quarter. Under this subcontract, CPA registers operations to ensure compliance by Chemonics’s local

branch with Guatemala’s Tax Administration (SAT), Ministry of Labor, and the Guatemalan Social


Security Institute (IGSS). The subcontract was modified in December 2018 to add products, increase the

value, and extend the term of the subcontract.

5.4. GRANTS MANAGEMENT

Grant administration and M&E. Throughout the year the grants coordinator continued to provide training

and support to strengthen grantee’s administrative, financial, and management capabilities so that they

can successfully administer their awards. The project shared a handbook with guidelines for successful

grant administration amongst all grantees and revamped the orientation presentation for grantees to

make it more dynamic, succinct, and relevant to improve grant implementation. The grants coordinator

continued to work closely with technical and monitoring and evaluation staff, and project partners to

verify indicators, ensure goals, objectives, and other requirements. In line with the contingency plan,

activities under most project grants were either terminated or suspended for convenience in June.

Centro de Atención Integral para el Fortalecimiento de las Familias Guatemaltecas (CAIFGUA). The aim of this

grant is to establish a service to provide ACLs with alternatives to detention. In November, the project

issued modification 2 to CAIFGUA’s grant, reducing their activities in line with a reduced budget. The

primary change in technical activities was the reduction in the number of ACL benefiting from

CAIFGUA’s services—down to 250 from 300 ACL. The ACL served by CAIFGUA are referred by the

Guatemalan courts and the MP following open, legal processes with established deadlines according to

local laws, and therefore implementation cannot be interrupted abruptly. During the last quarter

CAIFGUA delivered milestone 13, which was paid. Milestone 14—the grant’s final deliverable—was

successfully delivered and is currently under technical review. Due to project’s suspension of grants per

the contingency plan, the project issued a deed of donation for the equipment purchased by YGJP for

CAIFGUA during the period of this grant agreement. The period of performance for this fixed amount

award is from December 1, 2017 to October 31, 2019,

ECPAT II. Under this grant, ECPAT contributes towards national efforts to implement laws, strengthen

existing protocols, and design a referral mechanism on TIP, to ensure that service providers understand

their obligation to protect victims and ensure accountability for TIP crimes. In June, this grant was

suspended for convenience until further notice. ECPAT has complied with delivery of milestone six, the

last deliverable paid prior to suspension of the grant. The period of performance for this fixed amount

award is from June 15, 2018 to June 30, 2020,

IPS. Through this agreement, IPS aims to replicate and establish a model based on UNICEF's guidelines

for a Municipal Protection System to guarantee children and adolescents’ rights at the local and

departmental level in Huehuetenango and Petén. In December, YGJP issued Modification 4 to IPS,

reducing activities under the grant—namely a reduction in the anticipated Municipal Protection Offices

for Children and Adolescents (OMPNAs) created in Huehuetenango. During Year 3, IPS supported the


opening and equipping of six OMPNAS in Petén and provided technical assistance to12 that were

previously created in Huehuetenango. In June, IPS was informed of the suspension for convenience until

further notice. The period of performance for this standard grant is from September 27, 2017 to

November 29, 2019

CICAM. A modification was signed in January, authorizing a 14-month funded extension to continue

working to strengthen the quality and types of services provided by the National Referral Network to

GBV victims. The period of performance for this grant is from December 5, 2017 to March 31, 2020,

Per the project’s contingency plan, the grant was

suspended in June, with Milestone 9 the last to be paid. At the time of suspension, the grantee had

expended approximately 83% of its total budget, . Once the

grant was suspended, the project issued a deed of donation for all the equipment purchased by YGJP for

CICAM during the period of this grant agreement.

Mujeres por la Justicia, Educación y el Reconocimiento (MuJER). With support from YGJP, MuJER provides

GBV victims with information, guidance, psychological support, legal counselling, and referral to medical

care and other services that will increase their capacity for survival and offer them resources to break

the circle of violence. In June this grant was suspended for convenience until further notice. MuJER

successfully delivered milestone four—the last deliverable paid prior to suspension of the grant. The

current period of performance for this fixed amount award is from November 21, 2018 to November

20, 2019, . Once the

grant was suspended, the project issued a deed of donation of all the equipment purchased by

Chemonics for the grantee during the period of this grant agreement.

Asociación de Justicia de Alta Verapaz (ASOJAV). Under this agreement ASOJAV supports and strengthens

the care model for women GBV victims from across Guatemala's northern region (Departments of Alta

Verapaz, Baja Verapaz, Quiche, Petén, and Izabal), with cultural relevance in the Ak'Yu'Am (New Life)

Center. This grant was signed in February with a period of performance from February 19, 2019 to

February 18, 2020 In June, this grant was suspended for

convenience until further notice. ASOJAV successfully delivered milestone three—the last deliverable

paid prior to suspension of the grant. At the time of suspension, the grantee had expended

approximately 63% of its total budget, .

AMUTED. Under this agreement, AMUTED provided services for indigenous women victims of GBV to

help break the circle of violence. During the previous quarter, AMUTED submitted a request to extend

the grant and increase funding to continue to implement activities under the SOW. The application was

reviewed and approved by a committee, but given funding constraints in April 2019, the project

informed the grantee that an extension to the grant was not possible at the time. AMUTED’s final

milestone was submitted in March and paid by the project in May. The period of performance for this

fixed amount award was from June 15, 2018 to May 30, 2019,

The grant was closed as stipulated, having met its technical and administrative goals.

Asociación Viva Juntos por la niñez de Guatemala (VIVA). Through this activity the grantee offered an

alternative care model for children whose rights have been violated, in coordination with SBS in

Guatemala City and Quetzaltenango. During Year 3, the project issued three no-cost modifications to

VIVA, changing the delivery date for the final milestone and the completion date. The period of


performance for this grant was from January 24, 2018 to June 28, 2019

All financial and administrative activities were completed, and the grant was closed as

stipulated.

Other grants with gender safehouses. As a result of limitations on funding, project negotiations for new

grant agreements with Nuevos Horizontes, Red de Mujeres Chimultecas (REDMUCH), and others have

been suspended until further notice.

5.5. SIGNIFICANT TRAININGS AND MEETINGS

In line with the project work plan, during the quarter, the project team carried out training sessions,

strategic meetings, and provided support to key events with counterpart institutions, including those

highlighted below:

Trainings

• Training for 44 technical staff of the SBS Departmental Directorates in Guatemala’s

southwestern region on the intensity and frequency of socio-educational measures for ACLP.

(April)

• Training for 155 judges of the peace and instance judges from Sacatepéquez, Chimaltenango,

Cobán, Escuintla, Petén, Baja Verapaz, Chiquimula, Jutiapa, Suchitepéquez, Retalhuleu,

Guatemala, Mixco and Villa Nueva, on the OJ’s regulation for case management (agreement

74-2017). (April-June)

• Training on General Instruction 01-2018 and Agreement 14-2018 for 50 staff of the Women's

Prosecutor's Offices from the departments of Quetzaltenango and Guatemala who work on

cases of childhood and adolescence victims at the national level. (May)

• ACLP specialization training for 50 staff from the Prosecutors’ Offices for extortion, femicide,

life, and organized crime in the departments of Quetzaltenango and Guatemala. (May)

• Training on socio-educational measures for 57 SBS regional office technical staff. (May)

• Training on approach, identification, and referral of possible TIP cases for 297 PNC staff from

call center 110. (May-June)

• Specialized training of 10 Second Court of Judgment staff on crimes of femicide, GBV, and

sexual violence in the department of Guatemala. (June)

• Training on the handling of electronic evidence and new technologies in justice, specializing in

femicide, other forms of violence against women, and sexual violence, for 74 OJ staff from the

departments of Quetzaltenango, Zacapa, and Guatemala. (June-July)

• Training for 90 staff of the Prosecutor’s Office for Childhood and Adolescence on institutional

technical guidelines for care, protection, investigation, criminal prosecution, and mechanisms

for intra and inter-institutional coordination to be carried out by the MP within the framework

of the implementation of the MP’s MAINA’s Integrated Care Model for Childhood and

Adolescence. (June-July)

Meetings

| GUATEMALA YOUTH AND GENDER JUSTICE PROJECT USAID

Documents

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