This briefing paper is part of a broader project investigating societal responses to violence in the state of Michoacán in Mexico. It explores how local organisations and associations have used legal mobilisation strategies to counter extreme violence, with a particular focus on three vulnerable groups: families of victims of forced disappearances; victims of sexual and gender-based violence; and sex workers.

All three groups have used various means of legal mobilisation to seek justice, protect their interests and reduce their vulnerability. While these efforts have secured some notable achievements, they have also faced substantial challenges and limitations.

This paper has been informed by a chapter written by Salvador Maldonado and Iran Guerrero, 'Desafiando la justicia mexicana: Activismo sociolegal en casos de desaparición, violencia e identidad de género' in an upcoming publication edited by Edgar Guerra, Sociedad civil desde la periferia: Un estudio comparativo sobre las respuestas y dilemas de la sociedad frente a la violencia y la fragilidad institucional, to be published by CIDE Investigación e Ideas.

Salvador Maldonado, Iran Guerrero and Pilar Domingo