Background on the Issue and Relevance of the Person Mentioned
The Spanish left-wing government recently approved an initial draft of a law against vicarious violence, which is violence inflicted on a woman through her children or other close relatives to harm her. This marks the first time such violence will be explicitly defined and criminalized as an autonomous offense with gender-based aggravating factors, carrying penalties of six months to three years.
Ana Redondo, Spain’s Minister of Equality, emphasized the necessity of this legislative change during a post-Cabinet meeting: “This violence is not incorporated into our legal framework, and given the reality, it’s crucial to categorize, include, and define it.”
Contextual Information on Vicarious Violence in Spain
Since record-keeping began in 2013, 65 children in Spain have been killed due to vicarious violence, according to Minister Redondo. The proposed legislation defines vicarious violence as an act committed by a woman’s partner or ex-partner through an intermediary, primarily minors but also close relatives.
Key Provisions of the Proposed Law
The suggested amendment to the Penal Code would classify vicarious violence as an autonomous offense with gender-based aggravating factors, accompanied by penalties ranging from six months to three years. Furthermore, the draft introduces a new penalty to prevent perpetrators from publishing information or documents that could inflict further distress on the victim.
This new provision aims to curb instances like the controversial book “El odio,” which detailed a double filicide committed by a father to exact revenge on his ex-partner in Andalusia during the early 2010s. The book’s publication sparked outrage, as it included the killer’s testimony. Although the publishing attempt was ultimately abandoned by the editor, it ignited a heated debate after the children’s mother requested its prohibition.
Spain’s History of Protecting Women’s Rights
Known for being a model in women’s rights, Spain enacted pioneering legislation two decades ago to combat gender-based violence. This new proposed law seeks to further strengthen the country’s commitment to safeguarding women from various forms of violence.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is vicarious violence against women? It refers to violence inflicted on a woman through her children or other close relatives by her partner or ex-partner, using intermediaries—primarily minors but also close relatives.
- Why is Spain criminalizing vicarious violence? The Spanish government aims to address a gap in the legal framework by explicitly defining, including, and criminalizing this form of violence as an autonomous offense with gender-based aggravating factors.
- What are the proposed penalties for vicarious violence? The suggested amendment to the Penal Code includes penalties ranging from six months to three years for vicarious violence, classified as an autonomous offense with gender-based aggravating factors.
- What is the significance of the new penalty regarding publication? This provision aims to prevent perpetrators from publishing information or documents that could cause further distress to the victim, such as in the case of the controversial book “El odio.”
- Why is this legislative change important for Spain? As a country recognized for its advancements in women’s rights, Spain seeks to further bolster its commitment to protecting women from various forms of violence through this proposed law.
