The 24-hour Specialised Care Service for victims of gender-based violence of the Institut Balear de la Dona (IBDONA) handled a total of 5,688 communications during 2024. Of these, 4,737 were telephone calls, representing a 1.7% increase compared to the previous year.

This translates to an average of 13 calls per day, of which 78.7% were related to gender-based violence, that is, around 10 calls per day. More than half (52.7%) were made by the victims themselves, while 23% were made by professionals.

These figures were presented by the Minister for Families and Social Affairs, Catalina Cirer, and the director of IBDONA, Cati Salom, in the 2024 Service Report. This report includes information on the three services provided: specialised care and telephone support, face-to-face support, and specialised legal guidance. In this regard, during 2024, 728 follow-ups and 229 legal guidance requests were carried out, representing a 69% increase compared to 2023.

Catalina Cirer and Cati Salom

The director of IBDONA, Cati Salom, and the Minister for Families and Social Affairs, Catalina Cirer. Photo: CAIB.

24-hour telephone support

The new contract awarded in 2024 extended the service’s operating hours, ensuring support is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Additionally, the direct support team increased from 11 to 16 professionals, including a specialist in legal guidance.

Regarding the origin of the calls:

  • 71% of people called 900 178 989, IBDONA’s freephone number.
  • The remaining calls were made to 016 or 112 in similar proportions.
  • By island, Mallorca recorded 79% of the calls, Eivissa 10%, Menorca 5%, and Formentera 0.7%.

The majority profile of those assisted was a woman aged between 31 and 40, representing 17.4% of the calls where the caller’s age was known.

Regarding the types of violence reported in the calls:

  • 92.4% were related to gender-based violence.
  • 5.4% involved sexual violence.
  • 46.4% of victims suffered psychological violence, followed by physical violence (25.7%).

The months with the highest number of calls were May (10.3%), September, and July.

Additionally, in 2024, there was an attempted femicide in Eivissa (July) and a femicide in Llucmajor (December).

Increase in face-to-face support for victims of gender-based violence

The Face-to-Face Support Service carried out 616 support interventions in 2024, an increase of 14.3% compared to 2023. The average was 51 support interventions per month, and 61.5% were requested less than 24 hours in advance.

Regarding territorial distribution:

  • Mallorca accounted for 60.5% of the support interventions.
  • Eivissa: 26%.
  • Menorca: 11%.
  • Formentera: 2.4%.

91.2% of the support interventions were for victims of gender-based violence, while 7% were for victims of sexual violence. Almost half of these interventions (46%) were conducted at courts specialised in gender-based violence.

The profile of the women supported shows that:

  • 38.6% were aged between 31 and 40.
  • There was a rise in the 61 to 70 age group, with 17 support cases in 2024 (compared to 6 in 2023).
  • 32.5% lived with their aggressor at the time of the intervention.
  • 30.5% had no financial income.
  • Nearly 10% were in a situation of social exclusion or homelessness.

Regarding reporting incidents, 87.4% of the supported women had either filed a complaint or intended to do so, although 20.5% later withdrew it.

A free and accessible helpline

IBDONA’s helpline for victims of gender-based violence is 900 178 989, a freephone service available 24/7. Unlike the previous number with the 971 prefix, it now carries no cost for users. Additionally, the service is available in Spanish, Catalan, and English, with real-time translation services for other languages.

gender-based violence helpline