Citation

Annu. Rev. Popul. Law 1988; 15: 127.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1988, Harvard Law School Library)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

12289179

Abstract

In 1984, Venezuela issued regulations for the Law on the Protection of Minors which emphasize two major points: 1) the paternity of a minor may be recognized voluntarily or compulsorily and 2) public and private organizations are to prevent any abuse, exploitation, manipulation, or negligent care of a minor. With respect to the first point, either parent can initiate a recognition proceeding voluntarily and any interested person can initiate a compulsory recognition proceeding when the mother or father refuses to recognize the concerned minor. With respect to the second point, the Regulations define abuse, exploitation of a minor, manipulation of a minor, and negligent care. The Regulations also create a legal mechanism known as a support solvency document to ensure the fulfillment of support obligations toward minors. The document states whether a parent has paid support owed to a minor and must be presented when the parent wishes to make a property transaction, leave the country, or obtain social benefits from the State. The Regulations call for the National Institute of Minors to design and present to the Ministry of Youth general and specific objectives to contribute to the development of minors and the family and to form model rules for orienting national action. Priority is to be given to families with the least resources. The Regulations also create a Youth Assistance Service to monitor and protect minors who have been abandoned or are in danger (because they consume drugs, live or socialize with persons of dubious reputation, are employed in occupations not suitable to their moral or physical health, or are engaged in begging). To protect such minors, the Service is authorized to inspect places of entertainment and gambling; to examine any visual or printed material directed at minors; to support the Ministry of Labor in monitoring the working conditions of minors; to intervene to provide food and shelter for minors; to help locate missing minors; and to take custody of minors. The Service is also to cooperate with other institutions in protecting minors and to aid the authorities in the prosecution of persons and institutions violating various aspects of these Regulations.

Language: en