Chile’s Congress Unanimously Approves Creation of Victims’ Defense Office and National Access to Justice Service

Chile’s Chamber of Deputies unanimously approved a bill establishing the National Access to Justice Service and the Victims’ Defense Office—long-awaited institutions for families affected by violence who, until now, lacked specialized legal representation and support.

The law was inspired by the case of Alejandro Martínez, a young man from the commune of San Antonio who was murdered in 2008. Local deputy Camila Rojas (FA) praised the broad cross-party backing and underscored the measure’s human significance.

“This is good news for Chile: a Victims’ Defense Office means families facing crime—especially violent offenses—won’t have to go through it alone, as unfortunately happened to Mr. Víctor and Ms. Margarita. The State must play an active role and stand with them. Support was unanimous in both the Senate and the Chamber, which shows how important this step is,” the lawmaker said.

Visibly moved, Margarita González, mother of Alejandro Martínez, welcomed the vote and reflected on the many years of effort that led to this new institution.

“One day in 2008, my son’s life was taken in a brutal way. Since then, my husband and I have been on a long, painful journey. Today is bittersweet, but it brings hope because we achieved something that will benefit the entire country. My son was 19, and now his name will live on through this law. No more families will be left alone—without a lawyer, without support. This law brings justice and dignity to all victims,” she said.

What does the new institution do?

The new National Access to Justice Service will be decentralized, endowed with legal personality and its own assets, and will be overseen by the President through the Ministry of Justice. Its headquarters will be in Santiago, with a territorially decentralized network of regional directorates.

The proposal also clarifies that the body will, for all legal purposes, be the legal successor and continuator of the country’s judicial assistance corporations.

Accordingly, the new service aims to guarantee access to justice through:

• Providing legal guidance.
• Offering legal advice and representation to people who cannot obtain it themselves or who belong to groups requiring special protection.
• Psychological and social support, where appropriate.
• Legal counsel and representation, as well as social and psychological support, for individuals who are victims of crime.
• Promoting and implementing mediation and collaborative conflict-resolution programs.
• Administering the family mediation system.

Meanwhile, the Victims’ Defense Office must provide:

• Psychosocial assistance to mitigate the negative impacts of crime and prevent secondary revictimization.
• Information and guidance about victims’ rights and how to exercise them.
• Advice and information on precautionary and protective measures they can request from the prosecutor in charge, and follow-up on those measures—both those the prosecutor can order directly and those requiring court authorization.
• Guidance on state programs they may access.
• Legal representation to enable participation throughout the criminal process, including sentence enforcement, as well as civil actions to pursue liabilities arising from the criminal offense.

Read the bill bulletin HERE

El Ciudadano