Legal-Criminological Approach to Feminicide: Voices from the Lima and Callao Penitentiary System

Feminicide represents one of the most extreme manifestations of gender violence in Peru, demonstrating persistent structures of inequality that demand deep analysis from a legal-criminological perspective. This research analyzes the characteristics and patterns of feminicide through the experiences and narratives of inmates in Lima and Callao penitentiary establishments. A mixed methodological design with qualitative predominance was implemented, including documentary analysis and semi-structured interviews with a sample of 213 inmates sentenced and processed for feminicide. Results reveal significant patterns in perpetrators’ profiles: 40.5% maintain that “men are superior to women,” 70.3% come from families with preexisting violence, and 85.3% reported psychoactive substance use. Their narratives evidence systematic justification mechanisms such as blame inversion (“she provoked me”) and minimization of violent acts (“it was just a push”). Escalation patterns were identified, progressing from verbal to lethal physical aggression, with intensification in frequency and severity. Control dynamics include spatial restriction, economic manipulation, and social isolation, operating simultaneously to create cycles of dependency and vulnerability. The study contributes to understanding feminicide from perpetrators’ perspectives, providing valuable insights for developing more effective prevention policies. It concludes that feminicide prevention requires a comprehensive approach combining legal interventions with deep sociocultural transformations.