Mexican President Presses Charges After Street Harassment, Calls for Nationwide Legal Reform
President Claudia Sheinbaum has filed a formal complaint after an intoxicated man grabbed her chest, attempted to kiss her neck, and groped her during a public greeting near the National Palace.
The incident, captured on video, sparked immediate outrage and a renewed debate about gender‑based violence in Mexico.
In a press briefing the following morning, Sheinbaum said she chose to pursue legal action “so that this does not happen to any other woman.”
She emphasized that the attack reflects a daily reality for millions of Mexican females and underscored the need for stronger protections.
“If this happens to the president, what will happen to all the women in our country?” she asked.
The president’s office confirmed the suspect was arrested shortly after the assault and has been charged with harassment, a crime already codified in the capital and about 20 states. However, because sexual harassment is not uniformly classified as a criminal offense across Mexico’s 32 states, Sheinbaum announced a federal review of existing statutes. She pledged to push for a unified legal framework that criminalizes street harassment nationwide and to launch a public awareness campaign to deter such behavior.
The episode also drew criticism of security protocols, as her protective detail was not immediately present. Sheinbaum, however, rejected calls for a more distant public style, insisting she will continue engaging directly with citizens.
Mexico remains one of the most dangerous countries for women, with UN data indicating an average of 10 femicides per day and a 2014 survey showing 64 % of female respondents in Mexico City reported experiencing sexual harassment. Rights groups and feminist collectives have long warned of a femicide crisis, noting that roughly 70 % of Mexican women endure some form of sexual violence in public spaces.
Sheinbaum’s response aligns with her broader agenda to address gender inequality. Earlier this year she instituted a gender‑neutral school uniform policy, expanded safe‑corridors for women, and created a dedicated Ministry of Women.
The current incident has galvanized lawmakers, civil‑society organizations, and citizens to demand legislative action, hoping the president’s case will catalyze systemic change.
The government says it will work with state legislatures to amend local penal codes and improve reporting mechanisms, aiming to close legal gaps that currently leave many victims without recourse.
