An alarming picture in the fight against gender violence
The Community of Madrid faces a significant challenge in supporting women victims of gender violence, with data revealing a concerning trend. In 2025, it has been reported that 64.7% of the women in sheltered housing are immigrant women. This figure rises to 54.8% in centres aimed at young people who have suffered this type of violence.
The Director General for Women, Patricia Reyes, presented this data during a recent committee meeting in the Assembly of Madrid. The information indicates that immigrant women represent 58.5% in shelters and a notable 69.2% in those aimed at inmates and ex-inmates. These percentages reflect not only a complex social reality but also the urgent need for specific resources for this vulnerable population.
Within the Madrid system, there are initiatives such as the Ayaan Hirsi Ali Women’s Centre, designed to assist Maghreb women in critical situations. This centre offers comprehensive support and intercultural mediation to facilitate their integration and protection. Additionally, the Pachamama Day Centre focuses on Ibero-American women and provides specialised training on equality and violence prevention.
Despite efforts to provide shelter and assistance to these women, the data also shows a worrying increase in extreme cases. In regional centres for victims of trafficking for sexual purposes, the percentage of immigrants rises to an astonishing 96%. Furthermore, the figures indicate that 77.8% correspond to victims of sexual violence.
Despite the efforts made by local authorities to protect these vulnerable women, Reyes emphasised that there are still significant failures within the VioGén system. In the upcoming Gender Violence Observatory, four recent cases will be analysed where three murdered women were registered under this system. "It is essential to ensure that every woman who reports receives the appropriate protection," Reyes stated.
As 2025 comes to a close, the VioGén System reported 12,572 active cases, which represents a decrease compared to the previous year; however, it remains an alarming number that demands immediate attention from both local and national government.
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