Combating gender violence

Town hall representatives, including Councillor for Public Safety Pepa Gisbert and Councillor for Equality Montse Villaverde have met with regional groups and security forces in Javea to discuss effective ways in which to combat gender violence in the municipality.

The meeting focused on the study of alleged ill treatment of women in the population and how to respond to them with effective protocols, as well as how to provide victim sensitive, effective treatment. Gisbert reported that there are currently 43 cases in Javea, of which 28 have been classified as not significant, 14 as low risk and one medium risk.

The town is also carrying out surveillance to ensure that 22 restraining orders are enforced. Of main concern to the town hall and security forces are cases that go unreported. “If they do not report the fact then we are unable to protect them,” said the head of the police force.

Gisbert stressed the importance of reporting the crimes and that the helpline for victims of abuse is 016, making it clear that the town is fully committed to stopping gender violence, which he described as “a scourge that causes so much damage to women.” There are comprehensive care facilities available for battered women, including social, psychological and legal support, and the councillor for equality commented that “we will ensure in any situation that all the necessary means are deployed to support the victim, ensure their safety and welfare and inform as to recourse available to them, which are of course free and confidential.”

The meeting was attended by members of the Guardia Civil and Local Police as well as the Social Protection Care Unit (UAPS) as well as Social Services workers who provide psychological and legal assistance in these types of cases and work on prevention. The town hall is planning to release a number of awareness campaigns on the subject in November