Sexual violence and exploitation help

It is written for people planning or making a move to Spain. You do not need to know the Spanish system first. The aim is that you know where to get medical care, support and specialised help, and what your choices are.

Start with "After a sexual assault: crisis centres and the first 72 hours". It covers medical care, preserving evidence, finding support and your choices about reporting.

The other articles cover:

• Language, immigration status and privacy when you ask for help as a foreigner.
• Intimate images shared without consent, and sextortion online.
• Trafficking and labour or sexual exploitation.
• Forced marriage, FGM and honour-based violence.

Filing a criminal report, nightlife safety, hate crime and mental health treatment are not covered here.

Key rules

• Report not required: You do not need to file a report to receive medical care or support services after a sexual assault.
• 016 helpline: The 016 helpline is free, confidential, open 24 hours and does not appear on the phone bill; in immediate danger call 112.
• Reflection period: A foreign person in irregular status who is a suspected trafficking victim gets a reflection and recovery period of at least 90 days, during which no expulsion can take place.
• Evidence window: Evidence is best collected as soon as possible, ideally within 72 hours, though an exam is still useful after that for injuries.
• Where to go: Go to a hospital emergency department or call a 24-hour crisis centre, even if you have already washed.
• Immigration status: You do not need papers or a health card to get emergency care, call 016 or report.

Sexual violence and exploitation help: the whole process, step by step

• Get safe and call for help: 112 if in immediate danger, or the free 016 helpline. Read "After a sexual assault: crisis centres and the first 72 hours": right away

• Get medical care and, if you wish, a forensic exam. Read "After a sexual assault: crisis centres and the first 72 hours": as soon as possible, ideally within 72 hours, though an exam is still useful after that for injuries

• Ask for an interpreter and check how your immigration status and privacy are handled. Read "Sexual violence support for foreigners: language, status and privacy": at your first contact with a hospital, crisis centre or police

• If intimate images are shared or used to threaten you, keep evidence and ask the data protection agency's priority channel to remove them. Read "Intimate images shared without consent or sextortion online": as soon as you find them; the agency aims to act within hours or a few days, not months, but no fixed deadline is guaranteed

• If you are a suspected trafficking victim in irregular status, ask the specialised police unit or prosecutor to propose your reflection and recovery period. Read "Help with trafficking and labour or sexual exploitation": during your first contact with the authorities; the period lasts at least 90 days, with no expulsion during it

• If someone is forcing you to marry, report to the police or prosecutor and ask the court for a protection order. Read "Help with forced marriage, FGM or honour-based violence": before the marriage if possible, and at any time afterwards

Documents you may need

• The exact web addresses — Intimate images shared without consent or sextortion online

• Full screenshots of the messages — Intimate images shared without consent or sextortion online

• A notarised record of the web content — Intimate images shared without consent or sextortion online

• Saved emails with their headers — Intimate images shared without consent or sextortion online

• Preventive commitment — Help with forced marriage, FGM or honour-based violence

Sexual violence and exploitation help: questions that cross several articles

Are 24-hour crisis centres available everywhere in Spain?

No, coverage is uneven: the law requires at least one centre per province plus Ceuta and Melilla, but some regions have several and others have few or none yet. Centres give psychological, legal and social support and go with you to hospital, police and court. Call the 016 helpline to find the nearest one; see "After a sexual assault: crisis centres and the first 72 hours".

Can I get a forensic exam without filing a report?

Only in some regions, because most forensic exams happen once the duty court is notified. Medical care and support never depend on a report, and a hospital may notify the court of injuries anyway.

Do I have to pay for hospital care or the forensic exam if I have no papers or health card?

No, emergency care is given to everyone whatever their residence status, and the forensic exam is free for the victim. Visitors may be asked for insurance details, but emergency care cannot be refused. See "Sexual violence support for foreigners: language, status and privacy".

Which online acts are crimes if I am being threatened with intimate images?

Sharing intimate images without your permission is a crime, and so is threatening you to get money or more images; if a minor is involved, the penalties are heavier. You can report these and also ask for the content to be removed.

Is forced marriage a crime, and who protects a minor?

Yes, forcing someone to marry by violence or serious intimidation is a crime in Spain, with heavier penalties if the victim is a minor. Victims can ask for a protection order, and regional child-protection services can take charge of minors. Read "Help with forced marriage, FGM or honour-based violence"; if you are a foreigner, also read "Sexual violence support for foreigners: language, status and privacy".