Getting support before or without filing a police report

Key rules

• No complaint needed: 016, social services and women's centres help you without a police report.
• 016: The helpline is free, confidential and leaves no trace on your phone bill.
• Victim status: One accepted document is enough, and it does not have to be a court order.
• Regional rules: The office that issues the accreditation report depends on your region.

You can get help without a police report

Social services, women's centres and the 016 helpline all help without a complaint. Your status as a victim can also be certified by routes other than a court order. The details differ by region.

Where to turn first

016. The helpline is free, confidential and open 24 hours a day, in over 50 languages. It leaves no trace on your phone bill. You can also write on WhatsApp to 600 000 016 or use the online chat.

Municipal social services and the centro de la mujer. These give information, legal advice and psychological care. They can also refer you to a shelter. If there is no centro de la mujer in your area, ask for the equivalent regional centre.

Crisis centres for sexual violence. Many regions have a 24-hour centre. Ask whether one is open near you.

Emergency health care. You can go to a hospital or health centre at any time.

Non-profit groups. Cruz Roja, Fundación Mujeres and CEAR also help.

These services are open to women in an irregular situation too.

Proving you are a victim without a court order

A court order is not the only way. Any one of these can certify your status:

• A report from social services, specialised services or shelters of the public body that cares for you.
• A report from the specialised services of your regional or local body.
• A report from the public prosecutor that finds signs of violence. This is valid while a protection order is pending.
• A court sentence, protection order or other court decision.

You need only one. The documents below list them in more detail.

Your region decides who issues the report

Each region sets its own procedure. In some, the municipal social services or women's centres issue the report. In others, it is the regional women's institute or a special accreditation office. Regions also differ in the extra documents they accept and in how long it takes.

To find your route:

1. Ask your local social services which office issues the report in your region.
2. If they cannot tell you, call 016 or contact your regional women's institute.

Cases of sexual violence have extra routes under a 2022 law. Ask the same services about them.

Why the report matters

Once your status is certified, you can use rights such as free legal help, work protections, some benefits and priority for public housing. If you are in Spain irregularly, you may be able to get a residence permit for exceptional circumstances. The FAQ below gives the detail.

The ATENPRO telecare service usually needs a protection order. In many places, though, social services can obtain it for you through their report. Ask them.

Next steps

Use the checklist below to work through the calls in order. Check the documents list for what to bring.

Documents you need

• A report from social services, specialised services or shelters of the public body that cares for you. This can accredit you as a victim without a court order.

• A report from the specialised services of your regional or local body, issued by the office your region designates.

• A public prosecutor (Ministerio Fiscal) report that finds signs of violence, valid while a protection order is pending.

• A court sentence, protection order or other court decision. You need only one accepted document, so these are not required if you hold another.

Checklist

• Call 016 for free, confidential advice, or write on WhatsApp to 600 000 016 or use the online chat.

• Contact your municipal social services or regional women's centre (centro de la mujer) for legal advice, psychological care and referral to a shelter.

• Ask which office in your region issues the report that accredits victim status, and what form and documents it needs.

• Contact your regional women's institute if the local office cannot tell you how to get the accreditation report.

• Ask social services whether you can get the ATENPRO telecare service through their report, since it usually needs a protection order.

Services and how to reach them vary by region and municipality, so confirm locally.

Frequently asked questions

Can I get a social services report without a court order?

Yes, a report from social services, specialised services or shelters can accredit you as a victim of gender violence without a court order or sentence. A report from the public prosecutor (Ministerio Fiscal) can also do it while a protection order is pending. Some of these documents also work for labour rights, benefits and housing.

Who issues the accreditation report in my region?

It depends on your autonomous community: some use municipal social services or women's centres, others a regional women's institute or a special accreditation office. Regions also differ in extra documents and waiting times. Call 016, your regional women's institute or your local social services to find out.

What rights does accredited victim status open up?

Accredited status gives you free, specialised legal assistance, including if you are a foreigner, whatever your income. It also opens labour rights such as reduced hours or a change of workplace, priority for public housing, and access to shelters. Some rights need a specific document or a protection order.

Can I still get a residence permit if I am in Spain irregularly?

Yes, a foreign woman in irregular stay who is a victim of gender violence can apply for residence for exceptional circumstances. You can use support services without a police complaint, and accredited status is part of how your case is shown.