In Spain, the police take domestic abuse very seriously, and there’s a strong legal and procedural framework in place to protect victims and prevent further harm. This is largely thanks to the 2004 Gender Violence Law (Ley Orgánica de Medidas de Protección Integral contra la Violencia de Género), which was a landmark moment in Spanish legislation. It recognizes domestic violence — especially violence against women — as a systemic, societal issue rather than just a private matter.
🛡️ Why do Spanish police follow up on domestic abuse cases?
Police follow-up isn’t just a courtesy — it’s a structured obligation:
- Prevention of Repeat Offenses: One of the most dangerous moments for a victim is after reporting abuse. The risk of retaliation or escalation is high. Police follow-ups aim to protect the victim from further harm.
- Victim Safety and Wellbeing Checks: Officers are trained to assess the emotional and physical state of the victim, ensure they’re in a safe environment, and check whether additional protective measures (like restraining orders) are needed.
- Legal Monitoring (VioGén System): Spain uses a national system called VioGén which evaluates the risk levelof each reported case. Based on the risk score, police assign resources and follow-up frequency. It’s one of the most advanced systems in Europe.
- Proactive Protection: The follow-up allows law enforcement to anticipate potential dangers, increase protection (for example, assign bodyguards or panic buttons), and connect victims with social and psychological support.
🚨 What are the main risk factors of domestic abuse according to police?
Spanish law enforcement and the VioGén system assess a number of risk factors to determine the level of danger a victim might be in. Some of the key risk indicators include:
1. Prior Incidents of Violence
- History of physical, emotional, or sexual violence.
- Previous complaints (even if withdrawn or not prosecuted).
2. Escalation or Severity
- Increase in the frequency or intensity of abuse.
- Use of weapons or threats to kill.
3. Control and Isolation
- Abuser has attempted to isolate the victim from friends, family, work.
- Monitoring the victim’s movements, phone, or finances.
4. Threats and Coercion
- Threats to kill, hurt children, or self-harm (suicide threats are often coercive).
- Coercive control (emotional manipulation, gaslighting, degrading behavior).
5. Access to the Victim
- The abuser lives nearby or still has contact.
- Disregard for restraining orders or police warnings.
6. Mental Health or Substance Abuse
- If the abuser has psychiatric issues or substance addiction, this can elevate risk.
7. Jealousy and Possessiveness
- Obsessive behaviors like stalking, surveillance, or irrational jealousy.
8. Victim Vulnerability
- If the victim is economically dependent, pregnant, has children, or lacks a support network.
👮 How do police assess risk?
The Spanish VioGén system categorizes risk into several levels:
- No risk
- Low risk
- Medium risk
- High risk
- Extreme risk
Depending on the category, different protective measures are triggered — including regular police visits, electronic monitoring of the abuser, emergency alarms, and connection with legal/psychological/social support services.
💬 Final thoughts
Spain’s police and legal system, while not perfect, have made huge strides in prioritizing victim safety and understanding the dynamics of abuse. It’s especially encouraging that the law treats this as a structural issue, not just a series of isolated incidents. The focus is now on early intervention, survivor protection, and offender accountability.
If you or someone you know is involved in a case like this, I’d be happy to help you understand any part of the process or access the right support networks in Spain — there are some amazing organizations doing life-changing work. You’re not alone, and you deserve to feel safe, heard, and respected. 🌱
