The profile of women assisted by the Municipal Reception Service for Victims of Gender-Based Violence (SAMVVM) in Palma in 2024 shows that 71% were foreigners, mainly from Latin America, 63% were unemployed, and more than half had no income upon admission. Only 8% had their own housing, and 66% had filed a complaint for gender-based violence, with a conviction obtained in all cases that went to court.

Gender-based violence

Councillor for Equality, Lourdes Roca, during the presentation of SAMVVM’s annual report. Photo: Ajuntament de Palma.

Over the past year, SAMVVM assisted a total of 313 people: 168 women victims of gender-based violence and 145 minors in their care, a 4% increase compared to the previous year. The Equality Councillor, Lourdes Roca, highlighted the expansion of places, which increased from 78 to 94 municipal spots (117 including external resources), allowing for more individualised and higher-quality support.

Nearly 38,000 overnight stays recorded

The service recorded 37,934 overnight stays, with an average stay of 165 days per woman, rising to 220 days for cases with children and falling to 131 days for women alone. During the year, 114 women completed their process, with 60% of cases due to meeting objectives or voluntary decision.

Regarding intervention activities, 109 safety plans were developed, over 1,000 psychological counselling sessions were carried out, and training-employment integration programmes were offered, benefiting 194 people (81 women with children and 113 minors). Additionally, the minors reported that 68% had witnessed violence and 77% suffered psychological abuse.

The users rated the support received with an average score of 9.1 out of 10, highlighting especially the empathy and guidance of the team, with an average score of 9.35. Roca noted that, despite the progress, many women face difficulties achieving autonomy after leaving the service, making it essential to strengthen the support network. “We will do everything possible to ensure that no woman victim of gender-based violence is left without assistance,” she concluded.