In a recent enlightening presentation, Carmen Estela Morales Canchola shared her extensive experience and insights derived from her illustrious 19-year tenure with the Local Board of Conciliation and Arbitration of the state of Michoacán. With her ongoing legal studies at the Faculty of Law and Social Sciences of the UMSNH, Carmen has demonstrated not just her academic prowess, but also a deep-seated passion for mediating and bringing peace between conflicting parties.
The crux of Carmen’s presentation centered around a topic that’s both sensitive and crucial in today’s society: addressing individuals who have been victims of abuse. This is a domain where emotions run high, and the scars, often invisible, run deep. Understanding the gravity of the situation and the immense responsibility on her shoulders, Carmen’s approach to the issue is both empathetic and systematic.
Working within her capacity at the junta, Carmen’s primary method involves engaging with both the victim and the perpetrator separately. The rationale behind this approach is to create a safe space for the victims where they can voice their pain, trauma, and grievances without the fear of confrontation or reprisal. On the other side, it is equally important to understand and engage with the perpetrator, addressing the root causes of their actions and finding a path to restitution and potential rehabilitation.
This phase of working separately with both parties serves as the groundwork for the more challenging stage of reconciliation. Carmen emphasized the importance of patience and preparedness. Only when both parties indicate readiness, both emotionally and mentally, is the idea of a face-to-face meeting introduced. The delicate process ensures that the eventual meeting, if it takes place, is constructive and conducive to healing rather than being counterproductive.
Carmen’s approach underscores the importance of understanding the deep-seated trauma that abuse victims endure. By adopting a step-by-step method, she ensures that both parties are given the time, space, and guidance to come to terms with the situation. The ultimate aim, as Carmen highlighted, isn’t just legal resolution but also emotional reconciliation. The law can provide a framework for justice, but the emotional and psychological wounds need a different kind of attention and care.
One of the standout aspects of Carmen’s presentation was her evident passion for conciliation. Her dedication to her role and her genuine desire to bring about peace and healing in such tumultuous circumstances was palpable to all attendees. She reinforced the idea that while legal frameworks provide the structure, the real work of reconciliation often goes beyond statutes and mandates. It delves into the realm of human emotions, understanding, patience, and compassion.
In conclusion, Carmen Estela Morales Canchola’s presentation was not just an exposition of her work methodology but also a testament to her dedication to the cause of justice and healing. For those in attendance, it served as a poignant reminder of the power of empathy, understanding, and patience in addressing some of society’s most pressing issues. As Carmen succinctly put it in her closing remarks, the path to healing and reconciliation is challenging but profoundly rewarding. Her gratitude for being able to make a difference in this domain was evident and left a lasting impression on all.
