“We don't have the coordination to protect the victims”.

The curator Elena Palacios has decades of experience dedicated to the issue of sexual offences and gender-based violence. She, along with other experts, prepares the agents of the Units of Family and Women (UFAM), whose templates have been proposed to increase the Ministry of the Interior to ensure the protection of the victims. In the meantime, revealing the current situation of the phenomenon against the violence experienced from the first line. Failure of coordination in the accompaniment of the victim, lack of commitment of the families and the environment, and it is essential to empower the victims.

Question. The system VioGen, the tool of follow-up of cases of male violence, has been improved progressively, it is sufficient for the care of victims of gender-based violence?

Response. First it is important to be clear that the system VioGen not only completed with what he says the victim, because then it would be the valuation of the victim, not the police, therefore, is all the information that has been collected: the complainant, of which we have in our files of the defendant if any (history criminal, if it has been denounced by other victims...), the victim (if it has already been a victim, for example), the expertise that we have contributed technical reports of physicians, psychologists, social workers... What we have been able to tell the witnesses, direct or referential, co-workers, or the environment, and our own police officers who have intervened with the crime. And finally, the vision of the instructor of around the crowded. Therefore, it is not about the subjective appreciation of the police, although it is true that is the one that can raise or lower the level of risk. The system, a complex algorithm that operates with multiple variables, it is scientifically validated, it is not a program with a few questions arbitrary, is fairly certain. But what has neither the Police nor the system is the ball magic, what they can't foresee is the manslaughter or murder. This is the latest novelty, that still is not working: built-in variables so that it is evident that possibility, that risk. But what is more important is the information, the more we have, the better.

The accompaniment can't be just police, but also psychosocial

What is fundamental to fail unless the protection of the victim?

coordination and training. First is the knowledge of the phenomenon, because this knowledge determines the attention, and then I need to coordinarme well with the rest of professionals. There is to concatenate the actions of the one and the other. There can be No dead spaces. You have to be an accompaniment, and for that are needed by the protocols of coordination. The police can't leave you alone, you have to leave in a safe place then other services charge.

What is the failure in coordination?

we do not make nor do we have protocols of coordination.

what would be?

A protocol of coordination for acting with victims of gender-based violence is that the victim is in and to feel accompanied at all times in the process, with professionals from different disciplines. Until when he comes out of prison the offender, in the event that you have entered in the jail.

Where are the dead spaces?

First in the environments and the family. We have statistical data of the Observatory for Gender-based Violence that sing and speak of the little involvement of the family. The dead spaces are not only institutional. If you have an education in values and you are a good citizen, you are in solidarity with the weak, the victim, and you complaints. We are Deneme Bonusu talking of solidarity, social commitment, this is a State problem.

what happens to the families?

Because they don't have that vision, is still of the mindset that the dirty rags are washed at home: “I don't get because relationship problems are, then fix them up and we have more problems”. The family doesn't do it for evil, but to protect, but with a bad concept of protection. Is happening to us also with the neighbours: “I don't want to be there.” Although now every time we receive more calls in the 091 of individuals, because they have done awareness-raising campaigns.

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And what about the empty police where are you?

The protection may not be 24 hours a day, unless the risk is high or extreme. The accompaniment can't be just the police, but of the psycho-social services. The victim needs security, but also psychological help, money, a house, a job... All that the police can't do it.

And what about the victim?, how can or should do something to protect yourself?

Another new feature, included in the last statement 2016 on the protocol of protection of victims are the measures of self-protection. Not only do the valuation of police of the risk, but the woman has to be empowered. It is not only a being that secure, but is also able to protect by itself and adopt self-protection measures for herself and for her children. Then, before leaving the office of complaints, do with it, a personalized plan of self-protection, so that it is she also the one that decides. If it is a female worker, we advise you to: “Talk to the manager, tell him that you are a victim of gender-based violence, and that if you see your abuser on the road, you know". Or if you are mom: You have to warn the guardian of their children in the school. And to alert, for example, a neighbor of trust: “Put the phone speed-dial for it, or a signal by the window for her to call the police if you see that sign”. There are also recommendations for children: telling them which is the safe place if dad comes drunk. It is much more useful that to them that informal of all the rights that you have, because sometimes they come out with the head as a bass drum. It makes them feel good about themselves, they are able to protect themselves.

But there are those who think that this is to charge the victim with more things...

This is the continuation of paternalism and objectification of the woman as a victim. When you the victim will grant authority that it is she who manages her life, the thing changes. I have worked a lot of crime and sexual and everything I know I owe it to the victims, what I have learned from them. For comprehensive recovery of these are crucial, they are part of the process, but not judicial because it tells you the status of the victim.

The woman has to be empowered and to adopt self-protection measures

how long do you have to configure the packed?

Typically, 24 hours or 72 hours. There is No time limit. The first thing when you get a complainant is to give protection, to investigate the fact and if applicable stop the author. Sometimes I start the crowded with the author of the crime arrested, so I have a margin of 72 hours to keep it stopped, while, the packed is opened. On the one hand are the measures of protection and by other research.

what happens if minors are involved?

The protection is the complete package: the victim and the people in their care.