Public Opinion on Lethal Violence against Women in Mexico. A Mismatch Between Preferences and Expectations of Justice

The country has a reputation for systemic impunity, with only a small proportion of murders with women victims being punished by the state. This phenomenon is not unique to Mexico, as Latin America has the second-highest region-average femicide rates. Research suggests that a complex network of factors contributes to systemic impunity for VAW, including corruption, ineffective legal frameworks, overburdened justice systems, and resistance to change. Pervasive violence is also an accelerant, with lethal VAW increasing in the context of criminal violence and crackdowns against organized crime. One factor that has received less attention is the role of social norms in tolerating VAW. In theory, norms internalized by public officers, the judicial system, and citizens can stymie the system's application of laws meant to protect women from violence and punish those who transgress against those laws. However, too little is known about the scope of norms of impunity over lethal VAW. Research on sexism offers contrasting possibilities linked to the duality of hostile and benevolent sexism. Hostile sexism can undergird a culture of impunity to the degree that women victims are demeaned and considered culpable for norms-transgressing behaviors. On the other hand, benevolent sexism may provoke a chivalrous response in which the public demands comparatively harsh sentences for men who murder women. To better understand the role of social norms in tolerating VAW, a conjoint experiment was conducted via an online study in Mexico in 2020. The design permits the estimation of the degree to which citizens have egalitarian or discriminatory views regarding the deservingness of justice for women (vs. men) homicide victims. The results indicate that citizens prefer harsher penalties than they anticipate the state will deliver. Importantly, the public supports comparatively stronger punishment for the murder of women (vs. men) but expects high impunity. Women, on average, expect a larger difference between their preferences and expectations than men. These findings suggest that public opinion plays a role in dynamics around impunity, and that mitigating efforts should focus on addressing the cultural norms that tolerate VAW. The study's results also highlight the need for institutional reforms and efforts to reduce violence. By understanding the scope of norms of impunity over lethal VAW, policymakers and advocates can develop targeted interventions to address the root causes of VAW and promote a culture of justice and accountability. The findings of this study have implications for the "Ni una menos" movement, which calls for action against lethal VAW. By understanding the role of social norms in tolerating VAW, advocates can develop more effective strategies to promote a culture of justice and accountability. Ultimately, the study's results suggest that addressing VAW requires a multifaceted approach that addresses both the cultural norms that tolerate VAW and the institutional failures that perpetuate impunity.