A call to action in the face of rising gender violence
The recent meeting of the Regional Observatory of Gender Violence has highlighted an alarming situation in Madrid, where the number of murders of women has significantly increased. Since October 2025, four feminicides have been recorded in the region, and most concerning is that three of these victims were classified as low risk according to the VioGén system. This reality has led the regional government to demand an immediate and thorough review of the current protocols.
The Minister of Presidency, Justice and Local Administration, Miguel Ángel García Martín, has not hesitated to describe the questionnaires used to assess risk as "completely ineffective." The discrepancy between the classification assigned to the victims and the real threat they faced is a critical issue that must be urgently addressed. The General Directorate of Women has already requested a detailed analysis from the Ministry of the Interior regarding the criteria used to determine the level of risk.
Nationally, the statistics are equally alarming. So far in 2026, 13 murders of women have been recorded in Spain, five of whom had previously filed complaints without receiving adequate protection from the State. This phenomenon calls into question the effectiveness of the VioGén system and highlights the urgent need for reforms.
Another critical aspect discussed during the meeting was the operation of the Cometa system, which includes anti-violence bracelets. According to recent data, one in three users has reported serious incidents related to these devices. In total, 42 women have experienced distressing situations due to false alerts issued by the devices during critical moments.
Ana Dávila, Minister of Family, Youth and Social Affairs, expressed her concern about the emotional impact that these technical failures generate on the affected women. "There are women afraid that the device will fail," Dávila stated, recalling tragic cases such as the one in Ibiza, where a woman lost her life while a device was activated without any utility.
As the number of victims increases and the opacity of the central government regarding this critical issue becomes evident, Madrid has decided to adopt firmer measures to demand information about the timelines and current status of the new contract for these anti-violence devices. Despite multiple requests since last September, government silence persists as vulnerability among women grows.
Assistance data is equally revealing: during 2025, the Offices of Assistance to Crime Victims (OAVD) assisted 4,810 women in Madrid, representing a 16% increase compared to the previous year. With eleven murders recorded this year — one alone in Madrid — a concerning trend is evident that demands immediate and effective responses from the State.
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