A Practical Guide for Women Seeking Protection

If you are living in Spain and experiencing abuse, you are not alone—and there is a structured system designed to protect you.

The Sistema VioGén is there to assess risk, monitor situations, and provide protection.

But many women don’t know how to access it.

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Step 1: Contact the Police

The first step is to report the situation.

You can do this through:

• Guardia Civil
• National Police (Policía Nacional)
• Local police stations

In an emergency, call 112 immediately.

When you report:

• Be as clear as possible
• Explain any threats, history, or ongoing behaviour
• Provide evidence if you have it (messages, reports, witnesses)

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Step 2: Risk Assessment

Once reported, authorities will carry out a formal risk assessment.

This includes:

• Structured questions about the situation
• Evaluation of threats and behaviour
• Review of past incidents

Based on this, your case will be entered into VioGén and assigned a risk level:

• Low
• Medium
• High
• Extreme

This level determines the protection measures put in place.

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Step 3: Protection Measures

Depending on the risk level, protection can include:

• Police monitoring and follow-up
• Restraining or protection orders
• Emergency contact systems (such as VioGén-linked phones)
• In high-risk cases, GPS monitoring of the offender

These measures are designed to prevent contact and reduce danger.

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Step 4: Ongoing Monitoring

VioGén is not a one-time action.

Your situation is:

• Reviewed regularly
• Updated if circumstances change
• Monitored across regions (not just locally)

This means if risk increases, protection can be strengthened.

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Step 5: Additional Support Services

Alongside police protection, you can access:

• Legal support
• Psychological support
• Women’s support centres (Centros de la Mujer)
• Social services

These services help you:

• Understand your rights
• Rebuild stability
• Access emotional and practical support

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Important Things to Know

• You do not have to handle everything alone
• Risk assessments are taken seriously and are evidence-based
• Protection can be increased if new incidents occur
• Your safety is the priority