The Ministry of Equality, after the approval of Royal Decree 463/2020 on March 14, declaring the state of alarm for the management of the situation of the health crisis 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 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.
Calls 016
If we compare the period from April 1 to 15, 2019 with that from April 1 to 15, 2020, the increase has been 47.3%. The number of relevant calls from April 1 to 15, 2019 was 2,744, while the number of relevant calls from April 1 to 15, 2020 has been 4,042. This represents 1,298 more calls in that period of 2020 compared to 2019.
From April 1 to 15, calls to 016 in relation to the same period of the previous month (1-15 March 2020) have increased by 48%. The number of pertinent calls from March 1 to 15 was 2,732, while the number of pertinent calls from April 1 to 15 has been 4,042. This represents 1,310 more calls in the first fortnight of April 2020 compared to March of the same year.
On the other hand, if we compare the period from March 14 (the day the state of alarm was declared) to April 15, 2020 with the same period of 2019, the increase is 30.7%. The number of relevant calls from March 14 to April 15, 2019 was 6,041, while the number of relevant calls from March 14 to April 15, 2020 has been 7,895. This represents a difference of 1,854 more calls in 2020 than in 2019.
Regarding the days in alarm period, if we compare the days of March (from 14 to 31) and those of April (from 1 to 15), and bearing in mind that March adds up to 18 days and April 15 , the increase in calls to 016 has been 4.9%. The number of pertinent calls from March 14 to 31, 2020 was 3,853, while the number of pertinent calls from April 1 to 15, 2020 has been 4,042, that is, 189 more calls in the corresponding alarm state period to April.
Ministry of Equality
Online inquiries 016
If we compare the period from April 1 to 15, 2019 with that from April 1 to 15, 2020, the increase has been 650%. The number of online consultations from April 1 to 15, 2019 was 20, while the number of relevant consultations from April 1 to 15, 2020 has been 150, that is, a difference of 130 more consultations in that period of 2020 compared to 2019.
On the other hand, online consultations from 016 from March 1 to 15, 2020 compared to those from April 1 to 15 of the same year, have increased by 733.3%. The number of pertinent consultations from March 1 to 15, 2020 was 18, while the number of pertinent consultations from April 1 to 15, 2020 has been 150. This represents a difference of 132 more consultations in the first fortnight of April 2020 with respect to the first fortnight of March of the same year.
If we compare the period from March 14 to April 15, 2019 with that of 2020, the increase is 443.5%. The number of relevant queries from March 14 to April 15, 2019 was 46, while the number of queries in the same period in 2020 was 250, that is, 204 more online queries in 2020.
Finally, if we compare the period in alarm state of March (from 14 to 31) with that of April (from 1 to 15 April), the increase has been 50%. While the number of pertinent consultations from March 14 to 31 was 100, the number of pertinent consultations from April 1 to 15 has been 150. This represents a difference of 50 more consultations in the period of the alarm state corresponding to April.
Ministry of Equality
Emotional and psychological care
Regarding the emotional and psychological care service via WhatsApp, since it was launched on March 21 it has received a total of 731 queries.
If we compare the 11 days of March (from 21 to 31) with the first fortnight of April, the increase has been 129.3%. The number of pertinent consultations from March 21 to 31, 2020 was 222, while the number of pertinent consultations from April 1 to 15, 2020 has been 509, a difference of 287 more consultations in the April period compared to March.
The final data and its complete analysis will be published at the end of the month in the statistical bulletin of the Government Delegation against Gender Violence.
