"Confinement does not mean impunity." It is the first sentence that the Mossos d'Esquadra address to the aggressors in a guide that they have edited to address cases of gender violence, domestic violence and sexual assaults during quarantine due to the health alarm situation. This document provides guidelines for possible victims, starting with vulnerable groups such as women, minors, youth, the elderly and the disabled, but it also sends a message to abusers, reminding them that the police are alert to 24 hours and it is recommended that if they cannot be controlled call 112.

The Mossos d'Esquadra confirm that 572 people have been arrested since the beginning of the confinement for cases of gender and domestic violence. Police requirements, whether in calls to the emergency telephone number or in the actions of agents, rise by 26% in these situations of mistreatment derived from problems of coexistence. Despite the fact that the Mossos point out that incidents related to gender violence maintain a trend below the average when compared to last year, they do not rule out that when the confinement is lifted, reports of this mistreatment of victims who do not they have dared so far because of the situation of isolation and control by their aggressor.

For this reason, remember that when faced with any risky situation, you can report it to the police station or the emergency telephone number, and that the judicial and police protocols for this type of situation are still active. During the confinement, the Victims' Assistance Groups have made more than 7,500 contacts with people at risk, which they were following up on, as some 4,000 have current legal measures.

The abuser is you

To prevent and bring out this type of violence, the Mossos have published an action guide with advice for victims who, due to the alarm situation, are confined all day with their aggressor and can see how their feeling of isolation increases. The document illustrates where to go in case of abuse, contact telephone numbers and emails or avoid specific situations, such as creating a "specific security plan" for families with a history of sexual violence against minors or, in case of mistreatment between parents and children ":" when the conflict begins, go to another area of ​​the home "and" wait for the tension to drop before starting a dialogue ".

The guide also clarifies doubts about the regime of visits and custodians of people with children in common and indications on when restraining orders are breached. In addition, there is a specific section for possible aggressors where they are reminded that the police work 24 hours and that harassment through social networks is also punishable. "The only person responsible for the violence is you, if you see that you can lose control, shut yourself up in a room and wait for the anger to disappear," advises the document that he adds, "during confinement, and as a consequence of habits or increased leisure time, do not busy, there are people who may experience difficulties to properly manage their thoughts, impulses or fantasies. Thus, it can increase the risk of inappropriate sexual behaviors or even the exercise of child sexual violence. " So they indicate that these people "take responsibility for the risk" and seek preventive help.

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  • Mossos d'Esquadra
  • Mistreatment
  • Violence
  • Gender violence
  • Catalonia
  • Covid 19

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