Spain’s domestic violence problem

Humphrey Carter18/11/2016 00:00

As Majorca continues to come to terms with the violent death of Celia Navarro at the hands of her husband in Palma, and La Virgen del Camino on the mainland the death of a 54-year-old woman, Spain has to start taking its problem of domestic violence more seriously. I know governments and local authorities are constantly tweaking laws in a bid to try and tackle the problem, while the National Police and local police forces have special domestic abuse units, but the problem appears to be embedded in Spanish society, like drinking and driving. Therefore, a different approach has got to be taken to rid society of this disgraceful stain.

There are also mixed messages. While the majority of the country condemns domestic violence, the all powerful Catholic Church continues to confuse the issue. Earlier this year, an archbishop caused fury in Spain by saying domestic violence happens because "women do not obey men".

The Roman Catholic Archbishop of Toledo, Braulio Rodriguez, told his congregation that wives could avoid being hit by doing what they are told. Women could also escape being physically abused by not asking their husbands for a divorce, Rodriguez said.

Over one million cases of domestic violence have been dealt with by the Spanish courts since 2007 and judges have handed down jail sentences to 148,000 men. Last year, 48 women were victims of domestic violence leaving 42 children motherless. What Spain needs is a united front.