it’s worth explaining that VioGén is far more than a police database. It is one of the world’s most comprehensive multi-agency risk assessment and victim protection systems, designed to ensure that victims do not “fall through the cracks” as they move through the criminal justice system. How VioGén Works When an incident of gender-based violence is reported—whether… Read More How VioGén Works
Country Disclosure Scheme Public Statistics Available England & Wales ✅ Clare’s Law (2014) Yes – annual national statistics published. Scotland ✅ Disclosure Scheme for Domestic Abuse Scotland (2015) Yes – Police Scotland publishes application and disclosure figures. Northern Ireland ✅ Domestic Violence and Abuse Disclosure Scheme (2018) Limited public statistics. Republic of Ireland ❌ No… Read More Within Europe, the position is:
Here’s a comparison of the main domestic violence disclosure schemes currently operating internationally. Because each country records data differently, direct comparisons should be interpreted with caution. Country Scheme Latest Available Statistics England & Wales Clare’s Law (Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme) 2023–24: 19,934 Right to Know applications (9,057 disclosures – 45%); 38,678 Right to Ask applications (15,448 disclosures… Read More Understanding Domestic Violence Disclosure Statistics by Country
One of the greatest fears many survivors have is what happens when a restraining order expires. Does the protection end? The answer is not necessarily. In Spain, the expiry of a restraining order does not automatically mean that all protection comes to an end. Where the authorities assess that a victim remains at risk, protective measures… Read More When a Restraining Order Ends: Protection Can Continue
For many survivors of domestic abuse, receiving a protection order is not the end of the journey—it is the beginning of living safely again. In Spain, protection does not always stop when a restraining order is granted. In many cases, the Guardia Civil or National Police continue to provide ongoing protection through the VioGén (Sistema de Seguimiento Integral en los… Read More When the Court Order Ends, Protection Doesn’t: Understanding Ongoing Police Protection in Spain
One of the most important lessons I have learned is that justice is not built on rumours, opinions or assumptions. It is built on evidence. Evidence that can be examined. Evidence that can be challenged. Evidence that can be tested in a court of law. In my case, there were two criminal convictions in the Criminal… Read More Facts, Evidence and the Rule of Law
In Spain, criminal records are protected by privacy laws. They are not publicly available, and they are not routinely shared with employers, neighbours, or members of the public. Information from the Central Criminal Records Register may be shared only where Spanish law permits. This can include: Within the European Union, criminal record information can also be exchanged between Member States… Read More International agreements.
In Spain, if an appeal against a criminal conviction is refused, the consequences depend on which court heard the case and which level of appeal has been exhausted. Generally: Can there be further appeals? Sometimes, yes, but only in limited circumstances. Depending on the case, there may be: If all appeals fail Once all available… Read More Domestic violence convictions in Spain
When an appeal against a criminal conviction is dismissed, refused, or thrown out, it generally means the appellate court has decided that the conviction should stand. The exact legal effect depends on the country and the stage of the proceedings, but the following are common outcomes: It’s important to distinguish between different outcomes: If all appeals have been exhausted… Read More The conviction remains valid.
There is a common misconception that restraining orders, protective measures and criminal convictions are handed out without good reason. They are not. Police do not simply issue protective measures because someone asks for one. Courts do not convict people without considering the evidence presented before them. Every case is different, and the legal thresholds vary… Read More Domestic Abuse Cases Are Built on Evidence, Not Assumptions
Linda C J Turner | Trauma Therapist & Emotional Healing Specialist 