- Ensuring Safety for the Survivor
- After an abusive relationship, there is often a real risk of intimidation, aggression, or confrontation when the abuser enters the home.
- Guardia Civil presence ensures that the survivor and anyone else present are protected during the collection process.
- Preventing Escalation
- The presence of law enforcement helps to reduce tension, ensuring that the abuser cannot use the collection as an opportunity to threaten, manipulate, or harass the survivor.
- It also prevents property damage, verbal abuse, or emotional abuse during the encounter.
- Legal Documentation
- Guardia Civil can document the collection of belongings, which may be important if disputes arise later about items taken, damage, or compliance with the notice period.
- This ensures the process is transparent and legally defensible.
- Maintaining Order and Neutrality
- The officers act as a neutral third party, making it clear that the interaction is strictly about retrieving personal property.
- Their presence signals that any aggressive or threatening behavior is not acceptable and can be addressed immediately.
- Compliance with Notice Periods and Property Law
- Spanish law allows for a reasonable notice period (usually 15–30 days) for collection of belongings.
- If the abuser has not acted within the time limit, the Guardia Civil ensures the process follows the legal requirements, protecting both the survivor and the abuser.
In short:
The Guardia Civil is there to protect the survivor, prevent conflict, and ensure legal compliance. Their role is not to favor one side — it is to guarantee that the removal of belongings is safe, orderly, and within the law.
