The Inter-American Convention to Prevent and Punish Torture, 1985

Torture shall also be understood to be the use of methods upon a person intended to obliterate the personality of the victim or to diminish his physical or mental capacities, even if they do not cause physical pain or mental anguish.” (art. 2).

The implementation mechanism for women consists of:

1. a reporting procedure to the Inter-American Commission of Women; and

2. the possibility of submitting individual petitions to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights.