The Ministry of Equality, after the approval of the Royal Decree 463/2020 on March 14, declaring a state of alarm for the management of the health crisis situation caused by COVID-19, launched a Contingency Plan against gender violence in this emergency situation. The Contingency Plan developed a series of strategic and operational measures to help prevent, control and minimize the possible negative consequences in the lives of many victims of gender violence as a result of the containment measures.
As part of the contingency plan, reinforced yesterday with the approval of the RDL, All comprehensive assistance services for victims of violence against women were declared an essential service. In this way, both the telephone number of 016 and online consultations have continued to function normally 24 hours a day, every day of the week. To 016, a chat service was also added for the first time through instant messaging with psychologists who are experts in gender violence for emotional and psychological support
From March 14 to 29, calls to 016 have increased by 18.21% in relation to the same period of the previous month (February 14-29, 2020), with a total of 521 more pertinent calls. In relation to the same period of the previous year (March 14-29, 2019), the increase has been 12.43%, 374 more pertinent calls. The total increase if we compare March 2019 and March 2020 is 10.52%, with a total of 597 more pertinent calls, going from 5,674 to 6,271.
On the other hand, online consultations from 016 increased by 286.3% from March 14 to 29, in relation to the same period of the previous month, going from 22 to 85. In relation to the same period of the previous year, the increase it has been 269.57%, going from 23 to 85. If we compare the consultations from March 2019 to March 2020, the increase has been 182.93%, 75 more consultations in total, going from 41 in 2019 to 116 in 2020.
Regarding the emotional and psychological care service via WhatsApp, since the service was launched (from March 21 to 29), a total of 168 relevant queries have been received.
The final data and the complete analysis of the same will be published, as usual, in the statistical bulletin of the Government Delegation against Gender Violence.