Gender-based violence in Spain, as in any part of the world, leaves more than physical scars: it affects dignity, freedom, and fundamental human rights. The Spanish legal system has taken significant steps to protect victims, especially women and minors.
At Legal Allies, we want you to understand what the law offers in 2025, how you can activate protection, and what resources are available if you are facing abuse. Because knowing your rights is the first step to staying safe.
What Is Considered Gender-Based Violence in Spain?
Under Organic Law 1/2004, gender-based violence is defined as violence exerted by a man against a woman within the context of a current or past intimate relationship. It is a manifestation of inequality and dominance, including:
- Physical or psychological abuse
- Threats, coercion, or deprivation of freedom
- Sexual violence
- Economic control, isolation, and emotional manipulation
As of 2025, this definition has expanded through new regulations that strengthen protection at both criminal and social levels.
What Protective Measures Exist in Spain Against Gender-Based Violence?
Victims of gender-based violence in Spain have access to a broad set of protective measures, including:
1. Emergency Protection Orders
Judges can issue immediate precautionary measures to safeguard the victim and her children:
- Restraining orders
- No-contact orders (across all communication channels)
- Awarding of the family home to the victim
- Suspension of visitation rights if there are minor children
These measures can be requested even without a formal complaint, via duty courts, police stations, or social services.
2. Free Legal Assistance
Victims are entitled to a public defender specialized in gender violence from the outset, with no need to prove income. Legal aid includes:
- Filing complaints
- Requesting protective measures
- Support throughout criminal and civil proceedings
3. Financial and Social Aid
Several forms of assistance help victims achieve independence:
- Active integration income
- Relocation or rental aid
- Employment incentives and reintegration programs
- Orphan support when children lose their mother to femicide
4. Comprehensive Protection for Children
Children of victims are legally recognized as direct victims, with rights to:
- Specialized psychological support
- Suspension of visitation with the abusive parent
- Immediate school enrollment if the family relocates
What’s New in Spain’s 2025 Gender-Based Violence Laws?
In 2025, Spain continues expanding its legal framework with innovations like:
- Enhanced digital access to protection measures for victims in rural areas
- Improved electronic monitoring systems for offenders
- Stronger coordination among courts, social services, and schools
- Legal recognition of digital abuse (cyberstalking, social media control, non-consensual sharing of intimate images)
- Tailored legal and psychological aid for undocumented migrant women, with pathways to legalize their status upon reporting abuse
What If There’s No Formal Complaint?
Although a formal complaint is common, it’s not the only path to protection. Victims can seek help from:
- Social services or women’s centers
- Hospitals or healthcare providers
- Police or the duty court
These points of contact can trigger an emergency protection protocol, even if the victim is not ready to file an official complaint.
How Can Legal Allies Help?
At Legal Allies, we support victims of gender-based violence safely, respectfully, and confidentially. We offer:
- Legal assistance in 14 languages
- Referrals to shelters, aid services, and psychological support
- Guidance for migrant women unsure about their legal status
- Clear information on how to request protection orders and financial aid
- Practical guides for every step of the legal process
Your safety is our priority. If you don’t know where to start, we’re here to help you regain control—without pressure and with complete discretion.
Spain’s legal system in 2025 provides a robust framework to combat gender-based violence, offering judicial, social, and economic tools to protect victims and prevent further abuse.
If you are facing violence, you are not alone. The law is on your side—and Legal Allies is here to help you take the first step, with real, human, judgment-free support.
