Below is a long and comprehensive glossary of Spanish legal and psychological terms related to domestic violence, sexual offences, and court proceedings , especially relevant for survivors navigating the Spanish legal system or preparing for court. This can be a powerful tool to empower understanding and confidence in such difficult settings.
🛑 GLOSSARY OF SPANISH TERMS: DOMESTIC VIOLENCE & SEXUAL OFFENCES (Useful for Court)
📂 Legal & Procedural Terms
Spanish Term English Translation / Explanation Juzgado de Violencia sobre la Mujer Court for Violence Against Women Ministerio Fiscal / Fiscalía Public Prosecutor’s Office Juez de Instrucción Investigating Judge (handles pre-trial investigations) Denuncia Police report or complaint Atestado policial Official police report Auto judicial Court order or ruling Prueba pericial Expert evidence (psychological, forensic, etc.) Informe forense Forensic report Prueba testifical Witness testimony Medidas cautelares Precautionary/protective measures (e.g. restraining orders) Órden de alejamiento Restraining order Juicio oral Main trial (oral hearing phase) Declaración judicial Statement given to the judge Abogado de oficio Court-appointed lawyer Procurador Legal representative (liaises with courts on formalities) Querella Formal legal accusation (more serious than denuncia) Sentencia condenatoria / absolutoria Guilty / Not guilty verdict Recurso de apelación Appeal Indemnización Compensation awarded by the court
🚨 Types of Crimes & Offences
Spanish Term English Translation / Explanation Violencia de género Gender-based violence (specifically male partner → female partner) Violencia doméstica Domestic violence (includes all family members) Maltrato físico y psicológico Physical and psychological abuse Delito continuado Continuous or repeated crime Abuso sexual Sexual abuse Agresión sexual Sexual assault Violación Rape Acoso sexual Sexual harassment Acoso psicológico / acoso moral Psychological harassment / mobbing Amenazas Threats Coacciones Coercion (forcing someone to do something against their will) Lesiones Injuries Homicidio / asesinato Homicide / Murder Tentativa de homicidio Attempted homicide Delitos contra la libertad Crimes against personal liberty (e.g., coercion, kidnapping) Delitos contra la integridad moral Crimes against moral integrity (e.g., degrading treatment) Pornografía infantil Child pornography Corrupción de menores Corruption of minors (exposing them to sexual content or behavior) Explotación sexual Sexual exploitation Trata de personas Human trafficking
👮 Police and Investigation-Related Terms
Spanish Term English Translation / Explanation Unidad de Familia y Mujer (UFAM) Police unit specialized in family and women’s issues Grupo de Delitos Tecnológicos Cybercrime / digital crimes unit Agente de la autoridad Law enforcement officer Intervención telefónica / pinchazo telefónico Phone tapping / wiretapping Registro domiciliario House search Custodia de pruebas Chain of evidence custody Prueba digital Digital evidence Teléfono de emergencias 016 Domestic violence helpline in Spain
🧠 Psychological & Forensic Terms
Spanish Term English Translation / Explanation Informe psicológico forense Forensic psychological report Evaluación del daño psíquico Assessment of psychological harm Trastorno de estrés postraumático (TEPT) Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) Trastorno de ansiedad / depresión Anxiety / Depression disorder Síndrome de la mujer maltratada Battered woman syndrome Secuelas psicológicas Psychological aftermath / long-term effects Conducta disociativa Dissociative behavior Amnesia disociativa Dissociative amnesia Revictimización Re-traumatization / secondary victimization (e.g., by the justice system) Intervención terapéutica Therapeutic intervention Perito psicólogo / forense Forensic psychologist expert
🧒 Child-Specific Terms
Spanish Term English Translation / Explanation Menor de edad Minor (under 18) Tutela / custodia Guardianship / custody Tutela judicial Court-appointed guardianship Abuso infantil / maltrato infantil Child abuse Entorno protector / entorno negligente Protective environment / negligent environment Entrevista con cámara Gesell Interview conducted in a specialized room for minors Testimonio protegido Protected testimony (especially for children) Sustracción de menores Child abduction Delito contra la indemnidad sexual de menores Crime against the sexual integrity of minors
🛡️ Victim Rights & Support Terms
Spanish Term English Translation / Explanation Víctima protegida Protected victim Unidad de Valoración Forense Integral (UVFI) Comprehensive Forensic Assessment Unit (used in court to assess the victim’s state) Asistencia psicológica / jurídica Psychological / legal support Programa de protección Protection program (includes relocation or anonymity) Medidas de protección integral Comprehensive protective measures Oficina de Atención a Víctimas del Delito Victim Support Office Derecho a no declarar Right not to testify (in certain cases) Comparecencia judicial Court appearance Testigo protegido Protected witness
