The Minister of Justice and Interior of the Valencian Community, Elisa Núñez, from Vox, has not specified today what the future will be of the three Complaints and Assistance Offices for Victims of Gender Violence that exist in the Valencian Community. Asked about the question, she pointed out that she still cannot give "a totally firm and reliable answer because the future of these offices is still under study."
The councilor has pointed out that "we are still within the period of one hundred days since I was appointed councilor, and at the moment we are studying the different possibilities that exist regarding them, it is true that among these proposals there is the possibility of them being maintained and with the possibility of expanding or reducing their powers".
He added that he could not confirm anything "because they are also currently preparing the draft budget of the Generalitat Valenciana." From his words it is understood that depending on the budget available to the department, a decision will be made on the future of these offices. From 2018 to 2022, these offices have served around 90,000 people, 85% women. It is the largest network in Spain (with 37 offices) and almost 200 professionals. It is a public network.
The office of the Ministry of Justice has issued a message on social networks in which it indicates that the Generalitat is studying the different possibilities that exist regarding the Victims' Offices. "Yesterday a new Director General was appointed to guarantee the protection of victims and improve the functioning of the OAVD, in accordance with the Budgets." This message contradicts what was said by the minister and suggests that the offices will be maintained.
Unlike other autonomies, Justice in the Valencian Community assumes the burden of comprehensive care and protection of victims of gender violence. That is why it is important to know the scope of the decision to hand over this portfolio to Vox, a group that denies the existence of gender violence and on which it will depend on providing the necessary resources to these offices and the gender violence courts and approving The budget for the next ones is scheduled to be activated in 2023 and 2024.
The Valencian Community is the autonomous community that has created the most gender violence courts this year (they began operating on January 2). Specifically, it creates 5: Alzira, Sueca, Alicante, Elche and Valencia. Of the 7 gender violence courts created in Spain, 5 are in the Valencian Community. By 2023, the creation of another 7 has been requested. The objective is to go from having 16 exclusive courts for gender violence to 33 in 2024 when the plan provided by the Ministry is fulfilled.
Each court has the support of comprehensive care units. These units have the objective of facilitating legal operators' decision-making in gender violence procedures, through the preparation of reports by a multidisciplinary team. These reports are the most effective tool to protect victims because they contain a comprehensive assessment of the aggressor, the victim's vulnerability, the aggravating factors and the circumstances of the history of violence. There are 14 units in the Valencian Community that make up 45 professionals.
