The worrying figures of gender violence
During the year 2023, the courts of violence against women in Catalonia have received a total of 24,950 complaints, a figure that represents an increase of 8.4% compared to the previous year. These alarming data have been obtained according to the Observatory against Domestic and Gender Violence of the General Council of the Judiciary (https://www.softcatala.org/resum-de-textos-en-catala/).
In terms of victims, there has been an increase of 8.4% compared to the previous year, with a total of 24,672 people affected. In addition, an increase of 10.7% has been observed in sentences handed down in cases involving minors, going from 28 in 2022 to 31 in 2023.
The rate of women affected in Catalonia is 61.5 per 10,000, a figure lower than the Spanish average of 79.4 (https://www.softcatala.org/resum-de-textos-en-catala/).
The situation of foreign victims
According to data from the Observatory, 43.1% of victims of gender-based violence in Catalonia in 2023 are foreigners. This figure is similar to that of the previous year, which was 42.8%. Of these victims, 14,034 are Spanish women and 10,637 are of other nationalities. The report also highlights that 44 of the victims are Spanish minors and 17 are foreign minors (https://www.softcatala.org/resum-de-textos-en-catala/).
Protection measures and sentences handed down
During 2023, a total of 6,017 protection orders were issued, 10.3% more than the previous year. Of these, 2,858 have been adopted, 12% more than the previous year, while 3,129 have been refused.
In terms of convictions, an increase of 15% has been observed, from 1,782 in 2022 to 2,049 in 2023. These sentences represent 89.8% of the total. On the other hand, acquittals have increased by 21.7%, from 203 to 247.
There has also been a 10.7% increase in sentences for crimes of gender violence involving minors, from 28 to 31 (https://www.softcatala.org/resum-de-textos-en-catala /).