Evaluation of the viability of the Gesell Chamber for the protection of the rights of minors in family court proceedings.

Abstract

This study evaluated the feasibility of implementing the Gesell Chamber in family court proceedings in Santo Domingo, focusing on the protection of the rights of children and adolescents. A mixed methodological approach was used that combined qualitative and quantitative techniques, including semi-structured interviews with a judge and a master in Family Law, as well as statistical analysis of judicial data. The results highlighted the need for measures to protect the psychological integrity of minors, showing that the Gesell Chamber could mitigate the adverse effects of judicial proceedings. A low use of this tool in the family setting was identified, contrasting with its use in criminal cases. The conclusions emphasized the importance of establishing a clear regulatory framework and training justice operators to adopt the Gesell Chamber, which could improve the quality of testimonies and judicial decisions.