Legally reviewed on 11 October 2026
By Javier Sanz, lawyer, ICALI 8620
Reporting gender-based violence in Spain can lead to investigation, protective measures and access to specialist support. You do not need to speak perfect Spanish or collect a complete file of evidence before asking for help. You are entitled to understand what is happening and, where required, to interpretation.
In Spanish law, violencia de género refers specifically to violence by a man against a woman who is or has been his spouse or intimate partner, even without cohabitation. Other family or partner violence can still be reported but may follow a different legal classification.
If there is immediate danger
Call 112. Move to a safe place if you can do so without increasing the risk. If you are injured or unwell, obtain medical assistance and explain accurately how the symptoms occurred. Ask for an interpreter if you need one.
The official 016 service provides information and immediate psychosocial support by telephone, WhatsApp at 600 000 016, email at 016-online@igualdad.gob.es and online chat. It is not an emergency-response number, so use 112 where police or medical attendance is needed immediately.
Obtain legal advice before reporting if circumstances allow
Article 20 of Organic Law 1/2004 provides victims with immediate free legal advice before lodging a complaint and legal assistance within the statutory framework. Speaking to a lawyer first can help you understand the process, identify urgent risks and present the chronology clearly. It is not a requirement: in an emergency, seek safety and report without delay.
A lawyer can also explain connected issues involving children, the family home, immigration documents or an existing family order. Our frequently asked questions about Spanish gender-based violence law provide additional background.
Where can a report be made?
A report may be made to the police, Guardia Civil, a court or the Public Prosecutor’s Office. Specialist police units are available in many locations. If you attend in person, take identification if it is safely accessible, but do not delay urgent help because a document is unavailable.
Tell the officer at the outset if you need an interpreter, have a disability, fear returning home, believe children are at risk or think the alleged perpetrator has access to weapons. Ask to read the statement, or have it interpreted, before signing. Request a copy or the reference details.
What information is useful?
Give a clear account of what happened, including the most recent incident and relevant earlier events. Explain dates or approximate dates, injuries, threats, witnesses, weapons, stalking, digital monitoring and any effect on children. If you do not remember a detail, say so rather than guessing.
Existing material may include:
- Complete messages, emails, voice notes and call records.
- Photographs of injuries or damage, with original files preserved.
- Medical reports, prescriptions or attendance records.
- Names and contact details of people who saw or heard relevant events.
- Earlier police reports, court orders or documented breaches.
You can report without these items. Do not provoke contact, access someone else’s account or place yourself in danger to obtain evidence. Preserve originals and show them to your lawyer or investigators.
Requesting a protection order
Tell the police, lawyer or court if you want protective measures considered. A judge may hold an urgent hearing and assess whether the legal conditions exist for restrictions on approaching or communicating and, where appropriate, temporary civil measures concerning the home or children.
Not every requested measure is automatically granted. Give accurate information about the current risk. Once an order is made, its exact terms must be followed. Do not agree privately to contact that the order prohibits; ask a lawyer to seek a lawful variation if circumstances change.
What happens after the report?
Police and the court may take statements and collect medical, digital or witness evidence. The person reported to the authorities may be arrested or summoned if the legal conditions are met. A prompt court hearing may address precautionary measures. The investigation may later proceed to trial or be dismissed, depending on the evidence and applicable offences.
A report is not itself a conviction. The accused retains the presumption of innocence and defence rights. At the same time, victim-protection decisions can be taken before trial to manage identified risk.
Your safety and privacy after reporting
Tell your lawyer or the authorities about pressure to withdraw, unwanted contact or a possible breach of an order. Review shared passwords, cloud accounts and location settings from a safe device. Avoid publishing details of confidential proceedings or evidence on social media.
Support can continue even if the process feels difficult. The violence against women service explains specialist representation, while the guide to rights after sexual assault addresses sexual offences.
Speak to a lawyer
For confidential advice on reporting, evidence or a protection hearing, contact Javier Sanz. If danger is immediate, contact 112 first.
Official sources
- Organic Law 1/2004, including legal assistance rights (BOE)
- Spanish Criminal Procedure Act (BOE)
- Law 4/2015, Statute of the Victim of Crime (BOE)
- Official 016 information and support service
This guide provides general information and does not replace a safety assessment or legal advice on an individual case.