Gender-based domestic violence cases rise by 10%

The number of cases of gender-based domestic violence in Catalonia has increased at an alarming rate, especially after the Covid-19 pandemic. 

Between January and October this year, 14 women have been killed in a domestic setting, an increase of 40% compared to the same period last year. In most of the cases, the women were killed by their partners or ex-partners, but in one of the cases, the woman was killed by her son.  

From January 1 to October 31, the Catalan Mossos d'Esquadra police recorded a total of 14,137 complaints related to gender-based domestic violence – an increase of 9.6% compared to the same period in 2022.  

Most of the cases occurred in June, July, and September, as explained by Montserrat Escudé, spokesperson for the Catalan Mossos d'Esquadra police. 

Police arrested 6,056 men during this period, an increase of 13.2% compared to the previous year. 

The most frequently reported crimes include domestic violence, constituting 36.8% of the total, followed by threats at 22.8%, violation of sentences at 14.3%, and recurrent physical or psychological violence at 8.3%. 

So far this year, 13,278 women have reported being victims of gender-based violence by their partner or ex-partner. The number of complaints from women between the ages of 46 and 50 has increased by 19.7%. However, the age group bearing the brunt of this growing crisis is between 21 and 50 years old, accounting for 70% of victims. 

More arrests, fewer minors

So far this year, 12,140 men have been arrested or investigated for a criminal offense related to sexual violence, an increase of 8% over last year. The number of arrests increased by 9.2%, from 5,545 to 6,056.   

60% of men arrested or investigated for gender-based crimes are between the ages of 31 and 50. This year, gender-based violence crimes committed by underage males decreased by 21.9%. 

14 women killed

Twelve women between the ages of 26 and 72 have been killed by their partners or ex-partners in Catalonia so far this year. In total, this means five more casualties compared with the same period last year and the same age bracket.  

In addition, a trans woman was killed by her partner and a 79-year-old woman was killed by her son. These murders count as gender-based violence but not as 'femicides' in police records because the trans woman had not yet undergone a transition and the elderly woman was killed by her son.

In nine of the 14 cases, family, friends or co-workers knew there was a conflict in the relationship. In all cases, the killers were arrested shortly after the crime was committed. Criminals ranged in age from 28 to 77.   

Almost all of the crimes were committed at the victim's home, and one was committed in a hotel room. In this case, the victim and the alleged perpetrator were on vacation in Catalonia. 

Harassment and breach of conviction crimes rise 

Harassment crimes have increased by 62%, and breaches of convictions have increased by 17.6%.   

The increase represents an upward trend in crimes that have a direct impact on the lives of victims.  Since 2015, when this was officially ratified as a crime, it has increased by 140%.   

Harassment forces victims to make serious changes in their daily lives. It is a crime that affects the victim's recovery process and often turns into physical violence.   

Montserrat Escudé, spokesperson for the Mossos d'Esquadra, explained that the separation of the couple is the most critical moment and that the harassment that follows is often the prelude to more violent acts.