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Sexual harassment is treated in Argentina as a form of gender-based violence and discrimination. The national framework - particularly Law 26.485 on the integral protection to prevent, sanction and eradicate violence against women - establishes the obligation to prevent and respond to sexual violence, including harassment, in public and private spheres. In Córdoba, national rules operate together with provincial and municipal protocols and specialized public agencies. Victims can pursue criminal, administrative, labor and civil remedies depending on the facts and the context where the harassment occurred.
Sexual harassment cases often involve complex legal and practical issues. A lawyer can help you understand which legal route is appropriate - criminal complaint, labor claim, civil damages or administrative complaint - and can protect your rights at every step. Lawyers assist with drafting complaints, collecting and preserving evidence, requesting protective measures, representing you before the prosecutor or court, and negotiating settlements. Legal advice is particularly important if you face retaliation, if the harassment occurred at work or in an educational setting, or if you need immediate protection or urgent measures such as restraining orders.
Key legal elements relevant in Córdoba include:
- National law on gender-based violence: Law 26.485 recognizes different forms of violence against women and obliges the State to adopt measures of prevention, assistance and sanction. Sexual harassment is included within that broader framework.
- Criminal framework: Depending on the conduct, sexual harassment may lead to criminal investigations and charges under national criminal statutes for sexual offenses, abuse or harassment. The specific criminal qualification depends on the facts, intensity of coercion, and whether the action had an aggravating circumstance.
- Labor and employment rules: Employers have a duty to provide a harassment-free workplace. Internal protocols, prevention policies and complaint mechanisms should be in place. Victims can bring labor claims for discrimination, breach of occupational health and safety obligations, or constructive dismissal arising from unresolved harassment.
- Administrative protocols and specialized units: Provincial and municipal administrations usually adopt protocols for attention, prevention and sanction. Public prosecutor offices often have specialized units for gender violence or family violence that receive reports and coordinate investigations.
- Civil remedies: Victims can claim damages for harm suffered - moral and material - and request precautionary measures to protect physical integrity, privacy and access to work or study.
Sexual harassment covers unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, sexual comments, sexual gestures, touching, stalking, exposure of intimate images without consent, and any conduct that creates a hostile, intimidating or offensive environment because of sex or gender. The context matters - repeated conduct or abuse of power are aggravating factors.
Harassment can occur at work, at educational institutions, in public spaces, online or in private settings. Legal paths include criminal complaints to the prosecutor or police, labor claims with the labor courts or inspectorate, civil suits for damages, and administrative complaints within public institutions or universities. A lawyer can advise which path is best based on the facts.
You can file a criminal complaint at the nearest police station or directly at the Public Prosecutor's office. For workplace issues, you can also file an internal complaint with your employer and a claim with the labor authorities. If you are unsure, contacting a lawyer, a public defender or a specialized office for gender violence can guide you through the process and help you file correctly.
Useful evidence includes messages, emails, social media posts, audio or video recordings, photographs, witness statements, medical or psychological reports, workplace records, internal complaints, and any documented pattern of conduct. Preserve originals or screenshots with timestamps and keep copies in a safe place.
Yes. If you are at risk, you can ask the prosecutor or judge for precautionary measures such as restraining orders, exclusion from a shared home, or police protection. Labor authorities may also order immediate workplace measures like change of shifts, suspension of the alleged harasser, or temporary remote work. Speak to a lawyer or the prosecutor about urgent protections.
Retaliation is prohibited. Employment law protects workers against dismissal or other retaliatory acts for reporting harassment. If retaliation occurs, you can bring a claim before labor authorities or courts. Still, retaliation can happen in practice, so seek legal advice and consider documenting any retaliatory conduct immediately.
A criminal case seeks sanction of the alleged perpetrator by the State and can lead to penalties like imprisonment. A labor case concerns rights and obligations in the employment relationship and can result in reinstatement, compensation or administrative sanctions. A civil case seeks compensation for damages suffered. These routes can proceed in parallel, and decisions in one process do not prevent action in another.
Deadlines vary depending on the type of action. Criminal statutes of limitation depend on the crime and circumstances. Labor and civil actions also have different limitation periods. Because time limits can bar claims, consult a lawyer promptly to assess deadlines applicable to your situation.
Some offices accept anonymous or remote reports to provide information and initial guidance. However, formal investigations usually require identification to take coercive measures or to continue a criminal process. If you fear for your safety, discuss safe reporting options with a lawyer, a public official or a support organization.
Look for lawyers experienced in gender violence, labor law or criminal law depending on the case. Ask about their experience with cases like yours, their strategy, expected timeline and fee structure. If you cannot afford a private lawyer, seek free or low-cost legal aid through public defender services, legal clinics at universities, and non-governmental organizations that assist victims of gender violence.
Useful types of resources and institutions to contact in Córdoba include:
- National helpline for gender-based violence - a confidential national service that provides information and referrals.
- Emergency services - in immediate danger call emergency numbers for police assistance.
- Public Prosecutor's office - they receive criminal complaints and coordinate investigations, often with specialized gender or family violence units.
- Labor inspectorate and courts - for workplace complaints and requests for enforcement of employer obligations.
- Public defender or legal aid programs - free or low-cost legal representation for those who qualify.
- Non-governmental organizations and community centers - they can provide psychosocial support, accompaniment, and help navigating procedures.
- Health services - emergency and family planning services, medical-legal examinations and mental health care are important after an incident.
If you or someone you know has experienced sexual harassment in Córdoba, consider the following steps:
- Prioritize safety - if you are in immediate danger call emergency services and seek a safe location.
- Preserve evidence - save messages, emails, photos, recordings, and note dates, times and witnesses while details are fresh.
- Seek medical and psychological care - get any necessary medical attention and ask for documentation you may need for legal processes.
- Report the incident - make a criminal complaint at the police station or prosecutor's office and consider an internal report if it occurred at work or at an educational institution.
- Request protective measures - ask the prosecutor or judge for urgent protection if you are at risk and request temporary workplace measures if applicable.
- Get legal advice - contact a lawyer with experience in gender violence, labor law or criminal law, or look for public legal aid if you cannot afford a private attorney.
- Use support networks - reach out to trusted people, NGOs and specialized services for accompaniment and psychosocial support.
Taking action can feel difficult. Legal professionals and support organizations exist to help you understand your options and to protect your rights. Seek advice as soon as you can so that steps can be taken to preserve evidence and obtain protection when needed.
