According to state reports Baja California leads the nation in terms of violence against women and homicides of females.

As of September, the state has reported 14 homicides of women while seven out of every 10 women suffer gender violence.

State Women’s Institute Director Karla Pedrín said 90 percent of women miss reporting domestic violence.

“We must eradicate that belief that (men) can control and abuse women,” Pedrín said. “That’s what causes violence against women.”

The state official said women fear for their safety especially in public transit vehicles, automated teller machines and streets.

Pedrín said women do not report cases of harassment as victims minimize this type of gender violence.