The Interior Ministry strengthens protection for victims of gender-based violence during the summer months.

The State Secretariat for Security of the Ministry of the Interior has ordered police forces operating within the VioGén 2 System to strengthen protection measures for victims of gender-based violence during the summer period, as outlined in its operational directive, dated June 23 and released this Thursday. The instruction will be in effect until September 14.

The directive is primarily addressed to the National Police, Civil Guard, and the Navarre Regional Police, although it has also been sent through VioGén 2's internal communication channels for the information of the other operators interacting within the system.

The Ministry of the Interior reminds us that system statistics show that the summer months are among those with an increase in violent incidents caused by gender-based violence, making it necessary to adopt some extraordinary measures, without forgetting environmental circumstances (such as high temperatures) that favor crisis dynamics in human relationships and increase the likelihood of aggressive behavior. Weekends and the days leading up to any kind of holiday will also be considered periods of higher risk.

Regarding active cases managed by the VioGén 2 System, protection measures should be strengthened in those considered particularly relevant or involving minors at risk, in cases where the woman has suffered previous episodes of violence with other perpetrators and persistent aggressors, and in all cases where there are mental health problems and substance abuse or addiction issues, especially alcohol.

Police officers are reminded of the need to ensure effective and rigorous compliance with Protocol 2025, included in Instruction 1/2025 of the State Secretariat for Security, which establishes a new protocol for police assessment and management of the level of risk of gender-based violence and monitoring of cases through the VioGén 2 System.

Protocol 2025 improves police assessments of victim risk by specifying the assessment of the dangerousness of attackers based on factors such as a history of violence, alcohol or other substance use, and impulsiveness and aggression, especially when they have been convicted of very serious bodily harm or homicide.

In this regard, the guideline calls on officers to increase communication channels with victims' communities to access accurate and up-to-date information that will help adjust risk levels and improve victim protection.

It also calls for an increase in police procedures and actions for the early detection of potential cases of gender-based violence that have not yet been reported. For this purpose, they have implemented the so-called "Zero Protocol," which guides initial police contact with victims of gender-based violence who are experiencing unprotected situations.

These precautions are especially recommended in so-called "resistant cases," those in which the victim, despite the protection offered by the system, refuses or resists assistance and safety measures. In these cases, officers should seek the involvement of social services or other available assistance resources to provide a more effective response to these complex cases, where early risk detection is necessary to activate specific and concrete actions for each victim.