Families, their conflicts and the role of the Administration of Justice

The analysis of the data from the field research work done in the outskirts of La Plata, Argentina,is the starting point. It included the testimonials of the local female victims, their social background,focal groups work and extensive interviews. The existence of laws for the protectionof women does not guarantee an effective judicial protection. As long as, the patriarchal logicwhich places males as individuals and females as their property does not change, it will bedifficult to attain the psychological and/ or legal empowerment of female victims of domesticviolence and the establishment of new violence-free bonds. The Law can be an instrument forliberation, but it demands the help of all those who are responsible for the interpretation andthe citizen´s determination to defend their personal dignity and lawyers, ready to listen to them