450 police to fight ‘intolerable’ violence

7 May 2004

MADRID – Spanish prime minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero announced a series of tough measures Friday to try to stamp out domestic violence.

At least 200 police and 250 Guardia Civil officers will form a special force to prevent attacks.

A new law is expected to be introduced before the end of the year to crack down on what Zapatero has called “this plague”.

Other measures include making local police consult magistrates on a case by case basis on how to deal with security for women at risk.

Persistent offenders who break protection orders will be immediately held in custody.

They could also be automatically be stopped from seeing their children.

Women at risk will be given the status of “collective priority” which means they may be given help to with extra mobile phones and social, health and educational services will be alerted about their cases.

These were among ten measures announced by the Spanish government’s Council of Ministres Friday.

Zapatero has made tackling domestic violence a cornerstone of his government.

Jesús Caldera,  Minister of Employment and Social Affairs, said Friday: “We will put all these measures at the disposition of the state to fight this intolerable violence.”

One woman dies every week in Spain from domestic violence, a issue which has taken centre stage in the political conscience of the country.

Last year, despite new protection orders being brought in, there was a 30 percent rise in the number of attacks.

At least 20 women have been killed this year alone in attacks carried out by their partners.

In the latest tragedy, a 15-year-old schoolgirl was shot dead by her jealous boyfriend at his home near Tarragona on Tuesday.

The 18-year-old then turned the gun on himself.

[Copyright EFE with Expatica]

Subject: Spanish news