26 supplied by the National Civil Police showed that whereas the incidence of violent deaths among men was up 36%, the increase was 56.8% in the case of women.97 106. The Inter-American Court has found that States should adopt comprehensive measures to comply with due diligence in cases of violence against women.98 In particular, they should have an appropriate legal framework of protection that is enforced effectively, and prevention policies and practices that allow effective measures to be taken in response to complaints.99 107. The prevention strategy should also be comprehensive; in other words, it should prevent the risk factors and, at the same time, strengthen the institutions that can respond effectively in cases of violence against women.100 The IACHR has held that the State should adopt preventive measures in specific cases in which it is evident that certain women and girls may be victims of violence. This should take into account that, in cases of violence against women, the States also have, in addition to the generic obligations established in the American Convention, an enhanced obligation since the Convention of Belém do Pará entered into force. 108. The IACHR Rapporteur found in 2004 that the steps taken by the State to address violence against women were still insufficient for tackling the problem.101 In its report titled Access to Justice for Women Victims of Violence in the Americas, the IACHR reported that research in Guatemala found that only 0.33% of the complaints of sexual crimes actually went to trial, which is extremely low.102 As for the investigation of the cases, the IACHR observed that the authorities in charge of investigations into incidents of violence against women were neither competent nor impartial, which considerably foreshortened any possibility that these cases would ever be prosecuted and the guilty parties punished.103 For his part, Guatemala’s Human Rights Ombudsperson made reference to the failure to apply due diligence, as there are no “policies to prevent, investigate, punish or do justice in the face of the disturbing increase in femicide.”104 97 International Federation for Human Rights, International Investigation Mission, El Feminicidio en Mexico y Guatemala [Feminicide in Mexico and Guatemala], No. 446/3, April 2006, p. 26. As of 2005, the number of murders of women was up 63.41% over the 2002 figures, according to the figures supplied by Guatemala’s Ombudsman for Human Rights. See Human Rights Ombudsman, Guatemala, C.A, Powerpoint presentation, Guatemala, March 2006, available on-line at http://www.pdh.org.gt/files/inf_especiales/presentacion_muertemujeres03-05.pdf 98 I/A Court H.R., Case of González et al. (“Cotton Field”) v. Mexico. Preliminary Objection, Merits, Reparations and Costs. Judgment of November 16, 2009. Series C No. 205, par. 258. 99 I/A Court H.R., Case of González et al. (“Cotton Field”) v. Mexico. Preliminary Objection, Merits, Reparations and Costs. Judgment of November 16, 2009. Series C No. 205, par. 258. 100 I/A Court H.R., Case of González et al. (“Cotton Field”) v. Mexico. Preliminary Objection, Merits, Reparations and Costs. Judgment of November 16, 2009. Series C No. 205, par. 258. 101 IACHR, Press Release No. 20/04, Special Rapporteur evaluates the effectiveness of the right of women in Guatemala to live free from violence and discrimination. Washington, D.C., September 18, 2004, available on-line at http://www.cidh.org/Comunicados/English/2004/20.04.htm. 102 IACHR, Access to Justice for Women Victims of Violence in the Americas, OEA/Ser. L/V/II. doc.68, January 20, 2007, paragraph 151. 18. 103 IACHR, Access to Justice for Women Victims of Violence in the Americas, OEA/Ser. L/V/II. doc.68, January 20, 2007, paragraph 151. 130. 104 Guatemala’s Human Rights Ombudsperson, Compendium “Muertes Violentas de Mujeres”, 2003 a 2005 [Violent Deaths among Women, 2003 to 2005], p. 92. http://www.pdh.org.gt/files/inf_especiales/muerte_mujeres03-05.pdf