Domestic violence support

It is for anyone considering, planning or carrying out a move to Spain. You will learn how to get safe, what help exists without reporting first, and that immigration status is not a bar to protection.

Start with "Abuse at home: first steps and the 016 helpline". It explains how to get safe now and what to do in the first day. From there, pick the article that fits your situation, such as shelter, leaving with children, or money and documents.

Key rules

• 016 helpline: The 016 helpline is free, confidential and open 24 hours a day, every day of the year, in 53 languages.
• Emergencies: 016 is not an emergency line: if you are in immediate danger, call 112, or the police on 091 or 062.
• Services: Help, legal aid and protection are open to victims whatever their immigration status.
• Expulsion: A complaint does not lead to expulsion, and an open sanction procedure for irregular stay is suspended.
• Immediate danger: Call 112 or the police; for advice and a local shelter contact, call 016.
• Status: Your immigration status does not block emergency shelter.

Domestic violence support: the whole process, step by step

• Get safe and call for help: read "Abuse at home: first steps and the 016 helpline": in the first hours, at any time of day

• Get advice and proof of victim status from social services: read "Getting support before or without filing a police report": before or without a police report

• Keep evidence safely: read "Documenting abuse safely for later": as soon as it is safe, and while you are still at home

• Find a place to stay: read "Leaving tonight: emergency shelter for abuse victims". Emergency centres take you for days to a few weeks, then a casa de acogida (shelter) for several months, often around 6 months and extendable: the night you leave, then in the weeks after

• Protect your children and plan schooling: read "Leaving an abusive partner when children are involved": when you plan to leave, and during the shelter stay

• If you have no residence papers, a complaint does not lead to expulsion and any open sanction is suspended. A protection order or prosecutor report lets you apply for provisional residence and work permission: read "Abuse victims' rights whatever your immigration status": when you file a complaint and once a protection order or prosecutor report exists

• Claim victim aid and use work protections: the Renta Activa de Inserción is paid for up to 11 months, and a job can be held for 6 months, extendable up to 18 months. Read "Money, documents and benefits after leaving abuse": after leaving, once your victim status is certified

Documents you may need

Identity and residence

• Your ID or passport — Money, documents and benefits after leaving abuse

Payments and receipts

• Screenshots of messages — Documenting abuse safely for later

Other documents

• Proof of victim status — Money, documents and benefits after leaving abuse
• A report from social services — Getting support before or without filing a police report
• A report from the specialised services of your regional or local body — Getting support before or without filing a police report
• A public prosecutor — Getting support before or without filing a police report
• A court sentence — Getting support before or without filing a police report
• Medical report — Documenting abuse safely for later
• Psychological report from a psychologist — Documenting abuse safely for later
• Dated photographs of injuries or damage — Documenting abuse safely for later
• Records of previous complaints or police calls — Documenting abuse safely for later
• Financial records and a list of threats — Documenting abuse safely for later

Each article lists the other documents it asks for, where you need them.

Domestic violence support: questions that cross several articles

Will a call to 016 show up on the phone bill or call log?

No, a call to 016 does not appear on the itemised phone bill, but it can stay in the call history of the phone you used. Delete it from the call log afterwards, or use another phone if yours is watched.

Does calling 016 automatically alert the police?

No, calling 016 does not automatically notify the police, because the service is confidential. If the operators see serious or imminent danger, they transfer the call or alert 112 or the police. Read "Abuse at home: first steps and the 016 helpline" and "Helping a friend or neighbour you think is being abused".

Can a woman without residence papers get the same help as other victims?

Yes, women victims of gender violence have the same rights to information, assistance, legal aid and a protection order whatever their immigration status. A protection order can also open the way to residence and work permission. Read "Abuse victims' rights whatever your immigration status".

Does the gender-violence law cover an ex-partner you never lived with?

Yes, the law covers violence by a man against a woman who is or was his spouse or in a similar relationship, with or without living together. Other situations fall under different rules. Read "Abuse outside gender-violence law: men, older relatives, teenagers".