Spain to Increase Judges Handling Gender Violence Cases by 50%
Announcement coincides with International Women's Day, amid concerns over potential court system overload.
The Spanish Minister of the Presidency, Justice, and Relations with the Courts, Félix Bolaños, announced on Saturday that the number of judges specializing in violence against women will increase by 50%.
This announcement was made in conjunction with the International Women's Day celebrations.
Bolaños emphasized the importance of specialized judges in handling all forms of male violence, aiming to create safer environments and provide enhanced protection for women.
This decision follows warnings from 135 judges in the violence against women sector, who alerted that a new Organic Law aimed at improving the efficiency of the Public Justice Service would likely lead to a 'total collapse' of the courts.
The law mandates that courts handling cases of violence against women will also be responsible for cases related to sexual offenses, regardless of whether a marital or analogous relationship exists between the perpetrator and the victim.
Judges expressed concerns that the immediate impact of the reform could overwhelm already burdened courts that deal with sensitive issues related to gender violence and the protection of women and children.
They articulated in a statement released on Monday their apprehension that this legislative change would significantly increase their caseloads.
Prior to the reform, courts specifically handling cases of violence against women only addressed such cases when there was a romantic or affective connection between the victim and the perpetrator.
The reform alters this framework, expanding judicial authority to encompass cases devoid of any marital connection.
Judges labeled this an essential 'qualitative and quantitative leap' for the already strained justice system.
The judicial officials pointed out that the law lacks necessary budgetary provisions, characterizing it as a 'zero-cost' reform that the Justice Ministry estimates will increase the workload by at least 20%.
Additionally, although authorities have suggested that some Instruction Sections may transition to become Violence Against Women Sections, the expanded judicial responsibilities will officially come into effect on October 3, 2025, three months earlier than the general timeline for the new sections to begin functioning on December 31, 2025. Judges lamented that the proposed measures to facilitate the assumption of new responsibilities are not feasible in practice.
This announcement was made in conjunction with the International Women's Day celebrations.
Bolaños emphasized the importance of specialized judges in handling all forms of male violence, aiming to create safer environments and provide enhanced protection for women.
This decision follows warnings from 135 judges in the violence against women sector, who alerted that a new Organic Law aimed at improving the efficiency of the Public Justice Service would likely lead to a 'total collapse' of the courts.
The law mandates that courts handling cases of violence against women will also be responsible for cases related to sexual offenses, regardless of whether a marital or analogous relationship exists between the perpetrator and the victim.
Judges expressed concerns that the immediate impact of the reform could overwhelm already burdened courts that deal with sensitive issues related to gender violence and the protection of women and children.
They articulated in a statement released on Monday their apprehension that this legislative change would significantly increase their caseloads.
Prior to the reform, courts specifically handling cases of violence against women only addressed such cases when there was a romantic or affective connection between the victim and the perpetrator.
The reform alters this framework, expanding judicial authority to encompass cases devoid of any marital connection.
Judges labeled this an essential 'qualitative and quantitative leap' for the already strained justice system.
The judicial officials pointed out that the law lacks necessary budgetary provisions, characterizing it as a 'zero-cost' reform that the Justice Ministry estimates will increase the workload by at least 20%.
Additionally, although authorities have suggested that some Instruction Sections may transition to become Violence Against Women Sections, the expanded judicial responsibilities will officially come into effect on October 3, 2025, three months earlier than the general timeline for the new sections to begin functioning on December 31, 2025. Judges lamented that the proposed measures to facilitate the assumption of new responsibilities are not feasible in practice.
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Translated by AI
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