Lawyer Félix Portes questions the message left by the Wander Franco case

Santo Domingo. Criminal lawyer Félix Portes criticized the social impact of the case involving baseball player Wander Franco, after being found responsible for sexual and psychological abuse against a teenager, considering that the process sends a negative signal to Dominican society. Through his social media, Portes maintained that the case has generated an intense public and legal debate, especially due to the implications it has when it involves a high-profile figure with economic power. “The Wander Franco case sends a terrible message”, expressed the jurist, referring to the perception that it can generate regarding the protection of the rights of minors and the trust of citizens in the justice system. The lawyer pointed out that, regardless of the technical aspects discussed in the courts, the authorities must demonstrate a firm commitment to the enforcement of the law, regardless of the fame or social position of those involved.

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Portes also questioned the arguments used by some people to justify the player’s attributed conduct, especially those who have used the expression “he already had miles” to refer to the affected minor. “‘I already had miles’, on a minor, is exactly the thought that protects abusers and revictimizes victims,” he stated. She also stated that a minor does not have “miles“, but rather a history that in many cases may be marked by previous experiences of abuse that society prefers to ignore. The jurist insisted that a victim’s prior conduct or experience never justifies an aggressor’s actions. “Abuse is abuse. Even if the minor has prior experience. Even if the woman has been unfaithful. Even if she dresses, speaks, or behaves however she does,” he stated. Finally, he warned that as long as abuses continue to be justified based on the behavior of the victims, it will be difficult to move towards a more conscious society committed to the protection of fundamental rights.