In October 2018, at Casa Encendida in Madrid, Angela Davis defined sexist violence as “the consequence of what has happened in history, of violence.” This violent history has been recorded in Spain since 2003, when the government delegation for the Gender-based violence began compiling and disseminating official figures. Since then, 1,333 women have been murdered for sexual reasons, 46 of them in 2025. Or to put it another way: almost one woman per week. This year, which is coming to an end, 20 children have also become orphans.
However, only 1% of the Spanish population did so this year sexist murder It is one of the state’s top three problems, according to the data service Europe Press (EpData) based on information from the Center for Sociological Research (CIS). However, the numbers continue and when it comes to gender-based violence, there are multiple prisms from which to approach this brutality. If the aggressor is the focus, 90% of those surveyed were born in Spain. If the victim is the epicenter, only 24% of those murdered have Spanish nationality. This data corresponds to the period between 2003 and 2023, during which 1,246 women were murdered, a number that has increased since then.
Society’s perception of the history of violence, referred to by American philosopher and politician Angela Davis, shows that numbers decrease over time, which is not the case with crimes. In addition, a year ends with the outbreak of cases of sexual harassment against various politicians. And although general awareness is lower, the number of complaints is increasing.
Spanish courts received 4.28% more complaints of gender-based violence in the first quarter of 2025 than in the same period last year. EpData points out that they have presented 47,865 complaintswith the majority initiated by police reports, while a smaller proportion are due to complaints lodged directly by victims, family members or third parties. The publication of these data increases institutional and societal attention to the persistence of gender-based violence in Spain and the challenge it poses to prevention, protection and justice policies.
However, only 10 of the 46 murders in 2025 had a prior report, either from the woman or from a third party. However, the overall number of female victims of gender-based violence who were protected has increased Protective orders or precautionary measures in the last twelve months is 34,684. Or whatever is the same, just over two full stadiums at the WiZink Center (Movistar Arena) in Madrid against Rosalía or Aitana.
The impact of gender-based violence also extends to minors. According to the government delegation, three child deaths were recorded, including cases of fatalities vicarious powerin which children are attacked in order to harm the mother. Last year there were nine minors whose lives were taken by a man to punish their mother. On the other hand, official statistics also record the number of underage orphans resulting from these crimes. Last year, 20 children became orphans for this reason, 16 fewer than in 2024.
Another information collected by EpData shows that the 016 hotline for victims and relatives was in high demand throughout the year, according to data collected by the government delegation. The corresponding calls showed an upward trend reflecting this Need for advice and support in risky situations.
According to the General Council of the Judiciary (CGPJ), more than half of gender-based violence cases in the judicial sector ended in conviction. This organization highlights the development of Court orders and the proportion of convictions in the total number of sentences imposed since 2008. Although data is not currently available for the last two years, this area saw the highest number of convictions in 2023: 80.64% of them, compared to 62.86% in 2008, the first year of records.
The seventh edition of the macro survey of the government delegation, which reports to the Ministry of Equality, leaves one last shocking piece of information. In total, 6.4 million women have suffered sexist violence at some point in their lives. This figure (30.3% of Spaniards) is the same as saying that all residents of Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia and Seville are victims of “structural oppression”. Patriarchy“, as Simone de Beauvoir called it The second gender.
* If necessary, you can call the free legal information and advice number 016, a public service set up by the Government Delegation against Gender-Based Violence and available 24 hours a day, where you will be assisted by professionals specialized in this matter. This service guarantees the confidentiality of user data and is available in 53 languages. You can also communicate via WhatsApp at 600 000 016 and by email to the following address: 016-online@igualdad.gob.es. If you are a minor and believe that someone close to you is suffering from gender-based violence, you can call ANAR on 900 20 20 10.
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