El discurso protector de las víctimas menores de edad. Populismo punitivo en España y Colombia

The words used to modify both the status quo concerning the involvement of victims in the criminal proceeding as well as their intervention in the drafting of criminal policy based on the protection of minors as a focal point allowing these objectives to get ahead and succeed. For these purpose, the situation evidenced in both Spain and Colombia is resorted to, drawing from two emblematic cases, those of Mari Luz (in Spain) and Garavito (in Colombia). In any event, the promise of a reduction in the rates of criminality as an effect that is directly proportional to an increase of penalties for this kind of crimes, on the basis of incarceration rates is not deemed to have been fulfilled in the national context, and is limited to the guidelines of punitive populism.