Man under investigation following violent death of partner in Costa Brava

Catalan Mossos d'Esquadra police are investigating a man after his partner was found violently dead in the seaside town of Palamós, in the Costa Brava.

Law enforcement agents found the body on September 3, and the research unit in Girona took over the investigation.

The man, aged 71, is currently under investigation, and the Catalan News Agency (ACN) learned that he suffers from a degenerative mental illness.

Minute's silence in Reus 

Dozens of people gathered on Friday at Mercadal Square in Reus, southern Catalonia, for a moment of silence in memory of a woman murdered by her son last Wednesday. 

During the gathering, equality and feminism minister Tània Verge emphasized that "gender-based violence is the main problem of public safety in Catalonia" and lamented the violent murder of the victim in Palamós.

"There have been 11 femicides in Catalonia in 2023 so far. The violence that women suffer because of our gender is unacceptable, and these are acts of violence well-linked to our society," Catalan equality minister, Tània Verge, said.

9,500 phone calls

The Equality and Feminism Department's helpline - 900 900 120 - for women facing gender-based violence received 9,500 calls between January and August this year, 16% more than in the same period in 2022, or 1,300 more calls. 

Over the summer, when the risk of suffering sexist violence rises due to increased cohabitation, 3,700 calls were made, almost 10% more than in the previous year. 

In 80% of cases, the caller was the victim, in 17% of cases it was a family member, and in 3% of cases, a public service professional. 

Recent additions to the helpline service include initial psychological care and legal advice. 

Women suffering from gender-based violence have the free and confidential hotline +34 900 900 120 available. The emergency services number is 112