Domestic violence on the increase

PALMA
DURING the first nine months of this year there have been 2'017 cases of domestic violence, representing 4.19 percent of the total number of cases in Spain.

The Balearic Institute for Women yesterday made these figures public at the presentation of the activities organised to mark the World Day Against Domestic Violence, which will be held on November 25.

According to this organisation, which is part of the Balearic Ministry for Social Services, during the last 10 years the number of cases of domestic violence has grown in line with the national average. Last year the islands had 4.06 percent of the complaints made throughout the country, in 2005 3.81 percent and in 2004 3.71 percent.

The islands' social centres for women victims of domestic violence this year assisted 397 women and 17 women and 16 children are staying in these centres. A special police unit has been established to deal with these types of cases. Since 1999 in Spain 553 women have died at the hands of men in cases described as “domestic violence”. Of these women 24 (4.3 percent) died in the Balearics.

The Balearic Institute for Women, in collaboration with various social institutions and entities, have organised chats, exhibition, workshops and other activities for the World Day Against Domestic Violence.