Domestic violence and protection measures in Panama

1. Immediate danger: assistance and a safe place

If there is an immediate threat to your safety, call 911 for emergencies or the National Police on 104. The Ministry of Women also publishes 182 for specialised assistance and guidance. These are official lines, independent of the firm.

Seek medical attention if needed and explain the risks to you, children or other dependants. If you can do so without increasing the danger, go to a safe place and keep essential documents with you. Do not wait for a reply through the firm’s form or WhatsApp before seeking emergency help.

Sources: Ministerio Público · what to do in cases of domestic violence; Ministerio de la Mujer · official helplines 911 and 182; Policía Nacional · helpline 104. (in Spanish)

2. Conduct and relationships that must be assessed

Article 200 of the Criminal Code covers physical, psychological or property-related domestic violence within the relationships it lists. It is not limited to marriage: it includes certain partner and family relationships, including after the relationship has ended. Classification depends on the facts and the relationship established by the evidence.

Law 517 of 15 April 2026 amended article 138-A on psychological violence and took effect on 17 April 2026. The provision covers minors and adults and addresses threats, intimidation, blackmail, stalking or harassment and other conduct specified in the law. The victim need not be a woman. The date of the alleged conduct and the criminal law rules governing which legislation applies must be reviewed.

Law 82 of 2013 also provides specific protection against violence towards women. An argument or family dispute does not, by itself, establish a criminal offence: the authority must assess the conduct, circumstances and evidence.

Sources: Código Penal · art. 200, domestic violence; read together with subsequent amendments; Ley 82 de 2013 · arts. 13–14, rights of women who are victims of violence; Ley 517 de 15 de abril de 2026 · art. 138-A of the Código Penal and entry into force. (in Spanish)

3. Reporting and preserving information

You may approach the Public Prosecutor’s Office (Ministerio Público) or request police assistance. Explain what happened, when and where, who was involved, whether there were threats, weapons, injuries or previous incidents, and whether children or others are at risk. Ask the authority to assess whether protection measures are needed and keep the case number and any orders you receive.

Where available, prepare identification, medical records, photographs, complete messages, recordings you already lawfully possess, witness details and previous reports or orders. Preserve original files and dates; do not alter conversations or access someone else’s accounts without authorization. An incomplete evidence file should not delay a request for urgent help.

Provide a safe contact method. Tell the authority from the outset if you do not speak Spanish. Article 14 of Law 82 recognises interpreter assistance for women who are victims in the circumstances it regulates, as well as comprehensive care and privacy protection.

Sources: Ley 82 de 2013 · arts. 13–14, rights of women who are victims of violence; Ministerio Público · what to do in cases of domestic violence. (in Spanish)

4. Measures the authority may order

Articles 333–334 of the Criminal Procedure Code and Law 38 of 2001, as amended, provide for measures according to the risk and the authority’s jurisdiction. These may include:

• Removal of the person complained of from the shared home and protection for the victim’s return.
• Restrictions on approaching a home, workplace or school, and police protection.
• Weapons restrictions and other measures to reduce risk.
• Interim measures concerning maintenance, essential possessions or contact with children, where legally available.

Measures are not all granted together and do not have one universal duration. Read the order to establish its scope, protected persons, restrictions, period of validity and how to request review or extension. Law 467 of 2025 replaced the list in article 4 and the authority rules in articles 7 and 9 of Law 38; the original 2001 text alone is insufficient.

Sources: Código Procesal Penal · arts. 8, 10, 16, 20 and 333–334; Ministerio Público edition; Ley 38 de 2001 · protection against domestic violence; arts. 4, 7 and 9 amended in 2025; Ley 467 de 24 de abril de 2025 · arts. 99–101, amendments to protection measures and responsible authorities. (in Spanish)

5. Interim protection and case follow-up

Under article 9 of Law 38, as amended by Law 467, a community judge who orders interim protection must send the file to the competent authority within 48 hours after ordering the measure. In that role, the judge cannot determine the merits of the criminal offence or promote or accept settlements or withdrawals. Community justice is regulated by Executive Decree 25 of 2025 and its amendments.

Report a breach of an order promptly to the authority, providing the order, new facts and available evidence. Use the emergency lines if there is danger. Do not assume a restriction has ended because the other person invites you to make contact or return: seek clarification or variation through the appropriate procedure.

Reconciliation or a wish to withdraw a report does not guarantee closure of the proceedings or itself cancel protection measures. The authority handling the matter must assess the situation.

Sources: Código Procesal Penal · arts. 8, 10, 16, 20 and 333–334; Ministerio Público edition; Ley 467 de 24 de abril de 2025 · arts. 99–101, amendments to protection measures and responsible authorities; Decreto Ejecutivo 25 de 29 de julio de 2025 · community justice regulations. (in Spanish)

6. Children, maintenance and specialised assistance

Explain any children, dependants, pregnancy, disability and health or accommodation needs. An urgent protection measure does not automatically resolve custody, contact, maintenance, divorce or property issues. Existing orders and proceedings before the competent family or children’s authority must be coordinated.

Articles 13–14 of Law 82 and its implementing regulation, Executive Decree 100 of 2017, provide specific care and rights for women who are victims, including legal guidance, multidisciplinary assistance, confidentiality and access to shelter under the legal framework. The free legal assistance provided for there is a State responsibility; it does not make the firm’s private services free. Ask about available public services and the scope and cost of private representation.

Sources: Código Procesal Penal · arts. 8, 10, 16, 20 and 333–334; Ministerio Público edition; Ley 82 de 2013 · arts. 13–14, rights of women who are victims of violence; Decreto Ejecutivo 100 de 20 de abril de 2017 · regulations under Ley 82, arts. 1–2 and 8. (in Spanish)

7. If a report has been made against you

A report is not a conviction. The Criminal Procedure Code recognises the presumption of innocence, the right to a defense and the right against self-incrimination—articles 8, 10 and 16—alongside victim protection. Obtain legal assistance, keep the summons and any measures served on you, and prepare a chronology with relevant documents and witnesses.

Comply with current orders and attend when required. Do not pressure the complainant or witnesses, seek an agreement to withdraw the report in breach of a contact restriction, or destroy evidence. Your lawyer should review the file, the legality and scope of measures, and available defense or appeal procedures, without promising dismissal.

Sources: Código Procesal Penal · arts. 8, 10, 16, 20 and 333–334; Ministerio Público edition. (in Spanish)

8. Preparing a consultation with Quirós & Quirós

Explain whether you seek assistance as a victim or as the person reported, where the events occurred, whether there are proceedings in Veraguas or another province, and whether a summons, hearing or order is pending. Initially share the information needed to check availability and potential conflicts of interest; the firm does not represent opposing parties in the same matter.

After that review, prepare the chronology, case number, orders, proof of service and available documents. The team can define the requested work, competent authority, next steps and fees for the individual case. Private consultations are arranged through the firm’s contact channels and do not replace emergency services.

Practical example: an invitation does not change an existing order

Hypothetical scenario: an order prohibits contact, and one of the people later sends a message proposing a meeting. That message does not establish that the prohibition has been lifted.

The communication is preserved and the order, its scope and the procedure for asking the authority to clarify or modify it are reviewed. A meeting should not be arranged in breach of the measure. New threats or immediate danger require urgent assistance through official channels, without waiting for a private consultation.

Frequently asked questions