Council of Europe assesses Spain’s policies and measures to prevent and combat violence against women and domestic violence
Violence against women constitutes one of the most serious forms of discrimination and a fundamental violation of human rights: “its physical, sexual and mental consequences, both immediate and long-term, can be devastating”.
In this context, the Council of Europe’s Group of Experts on Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (GREVIO) has recently evaluated the policies and measures implemented by Spain to prevent and combat this problem. In the report published on 21 November 2024, while GREVIO welcomed the progress made, it also identified critical areas that require urgent attention in order to fully comply with the provisions of the Istanbul Convention.
In line with the progress and legislative commitments, GREVIO acknowledged Spain’s significant efforts to strengthen its legislative and policy framework on gender-based violence. Among the achievements highlighted, the Organic Law on Integral Guarantee of Sexual Freedom of 2022 constitutes a significant step forward by criminalising any sexual act performed without the free consent of the person.
Spain also adopted a Joint Multiannual Plan on Violence against Women (2023-2027) that seeks to broaden the scope of policies to forms of violence beyond intimate partner violence. The creation of 24-hour comprehensive assistance centres for victims of sexual violence and the steady increase in the allocation of funds are key measures that strengthen the state’s response to this phenomenon. At the same time, the approach of the security forces, particularly the specialised units, has improved substantially.
Despite these advances, there are persistent challenges. GREVIO stresses the need for additional measures to ensure support, protection and access to justice for all victims of violence against women and domestic violence. One of the main challenges identified is the improvement of training for professionals involved in these cases, including the judiciary. It recommends establishing training programmes for professionals working in key sectors such as justice, security, health, education and social welfare. These programmes should include a comprehensive perspective that takes into account the dynamics of gender-based violence and the specific needs of vulnerable groups such as migrant women, refugees, women with disabilities or women living in rural areas.
In particular, GREVIO emphasises the need to implement mandatory training for judges, focusing on issues such as custody and access rights, the detrimental impact on children of exposure to violence against women and the particularities of the dynamics of domestic violence.
An alarming aspect is the persistence of secondary victimisation in judicial proceedings. Despite the advances introduced by Organic Law 10/2022, victims of sexual violence still face questions about their credibility, harmful stereotypes among judges, the need to make multiple statements and the lack of respect for their privacy during legal proceedings. This situation not only perpetuates the suffering of victims, but also discourages the reporting of these crimes.
Finally, the report highlights a particular concern regarding the impact of sexual violence on young people. There has been an increase in reported cases of gang rape, in which both perpetrators and victims are often young people. GREVIO notes that exposure to violent pornography can influence the commission of these crimes, especially in the absence of educational spaces that promote contextual discussions about sexuality, gender equality and non-stereotypical roles.
The report emphasises the role of education and the need to incorporate comprehensive sexuality education programmes at all levels of education, with a focus on the prevention of gender-based violence. These programmes should foster mutual respect and understanding of the right to personal integrity.
An example of outstanding initiatives is the “Tenerife Violeta” programme. It is a free public service of the local council, which aims to provide information and advice on different matters related to the principle of equal treatment and non-discrimination on the grounds of sex and equal opportunities between women and men.
In conclusion, GREVIO’s report underlines that, although Spain has demonstrated a steady commitment and remarkable progress in the fight against gender-based violence, significant challenges remain that need to be addressed as a priority. Comprehensive training of professionals, attention to the needs of vulnerable groups, the elimination of secondary victimisation and the promotion of equality education are essential pillars to build a society free of violence against women. Only through a multidimensional and coordinated approach will Spain be able to fully comply with the standards of the Istanbul Convention and guarantee a life free of violence for all women.
Mariana Larrosa Fernández, collaborator of FIBGAR
