Worrying growth of cases at the Tarragona audience
A third of the judgments that are carried out at the Provincial Court of Tarragona are related to sexual aggressions, a statistic that has generated concern among the authorities. According to the president of the audience, Joan Perarnau, half of the victims of these crimes are minors, a fact that highlights the seriousness of the situation.
Initiatives to address the problem
Perarnau points out that the increase in the number of complaints is due, in part, to the implementation of the Barnahus program, a pioneering center in Tarragona that offers comprehensive assistance to children and adolescents who have suffered abuse. This approach has allowed more cases to be reported, which in turn has contributed to the figures for aggressions becoming more visible.
A ascent cultural phenomenon
The president of the Hearing has also indicated that the increase in minor aggressors is alarming and may be linked to cultural factors. Early exposure to pornography is an aspect that worries Perarnau, who mentions that some experts warn about inadequate access to this type of content at ages as early as 11 years.
Revealing statistics in the Minors Court
In 2023, the Minor Court of Tarragona has registered a total of 686 cases, which represents an increase of 17% compared to the previous year. This trend reflects remarkable growth, since at the end of 2022 546 issues had been counted, evidencing that Tarragona leads in this area compared to other courts of Catalonia.
Need for additional resources
Given the increase in cases, Perarnau has called for the need to reinforce the personnel of the Minors Court, highlighting that it is the one that has the most workload in the region, which requires an adequate response to handle the growing volume of complaints.
Judicial specialization as a solution
In the context of the new justice efficiency law, Pearnau advocates the creation of courts specialized in gender violence. According to him, this is essential to offer the best possible attention to victims. Currently, Tarragona has three courts specialized in macho violence, located in Tarragona, Reus and Vendrell.
Proposals for Les Terres de l’Ebre
However, the President suggests that in Les terres de l’Ebre an additional court should be established to ensure that victims do not have to move large distances. It proposes the creation of a new court in Tortosa, which would facilitate access to justice for the four regions of the region.
The future of the judicial system
Perarnau concludes by emphasizing the importance of incorporating telematic technologies into judicial procedures, which could reduce the need for victims to move and, consequently, improve their experience in the judicial system. This approach would not only modernize the process, but also could make victims feel safer and more supported.
