Spanish Embassies and Consulates dealt with 249 new cases of violence against women in 2021

The Spanish Consular Offices abroad dealt with 249 new cases of violence against Spanish women in 2021. Seventy-seven per cent of the cases involved violence by a partner or former partner; 13 per cent involved sexual violence outside the couple relationship; 7 per cent involved domestic violence against the woman by someone other than her partner or former partner; and the remaining 3 per cent involved other forms of violence according to the Istanbul Convention, such as forced marriage.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation (MAEC) continues its efforts to strengthen the consular assistance provided to Spanish victims abroad. Spanish women living abroad who suffer violence and, where appropriate, their children, are a group which are more vulnerable to situations of gender-based violence due to their particular characteristics. As in the case of migrant women in Spain, a lack of knowledge of the reality of the country, possible linguistic obstacles and no social and family network of their own are circumstances that aggravate the already difficult situation of these women outside our borders.

As part of the improvement efforts, it has been agreed to transfer an appropriation of half a million euros from the Ministry of Equality to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to strengthen the assistance provided to Spanish citizens who are victims of violence abroad. Both Ministries are part of the 2015 Interministerial Action Protocol for the Care of Spanish Women Victims of Gender Violence Abroad.

Consular assistance and aid abroad

In the same line, Order AUC/154/2022, of 21 February, regulating consular protection and assistance abroad, will come into force on 7 June. This Order includes a specific section aimed at Spanish victims of violence against women abroad. This new type of assistance will identify and expand the resources allocated to this type of consular care.

Non official translation