Bilbao (EFE).- The Basque Government and the Superior Court of Justice of the Basque Country (TSJPV) have distributed a guide for victims of sexist violence with “simple” and “clear” information on the judicial process to follow from the time of the complaint until sentence.
The objective of this manual is to bring Justice closer to this group.
The president of the TSJPV, Iñaki Subijana, the Minister of Justice, Merea Melgosa, and the director of Emakunde, Miren Elgarresta, have presented this guide in Bilbao.
Together with it, a brochure has also been prepared with the main rights of victims of sexist violence in the criminal process.
A guide published in different languages
The guide is prepared in Spanish and Basque but it has also been published in English, French, Arabic, Portuguese, Romanian and in an easy-to-read format.
The Superior Court of Justice and Emakunde have promoted a wide distribution of both the guide and the brochure in all the Basque judicial bodies.
It will also be disseminated in all the Basque institutions involved in caring for women victims of sexist violence and in the third sector.
Simple language
Subijana has stated that it is about improving the information of the judicial procedure for the victims of sexist violence.
Make Justice “accessible”, “understandable” for these victims, who know the phases that must be followed and the rights they have.
From being assisted for free, to being accompanied throughout the process since there is no type of contact with the accused in the police and judicial offices, among others.
Thus, through a “concise, precise, clear and very visual” language, the guide presents the essential phases of the judicial process from the complaint to the sentence, showing the actors that will be found in the process and how to act.
Subijana has stressed that this guide is not a closed document, but is open to contributions for its improvement.
He has also highlighted the importance of victims not feeling Justice as something “invasive” or “far away”.
Feeling Justice close to dare to denounce
Melgosa has ensured that it is a priority for her department that victims of sexist violence feel close to the institutions and have well-informed access to all the services they offer.
“It is essential that the victims feel closeness and empathy on the part of the Justice Administration,” he said.
“That will be the way in which they feel confident and dare to denounce, it has had an impact.
In short, he has summarized, it is about helping the victims to have “a kinder relationship with Justice.”
Also to be able to respond to their needs and concerns in the “most empathetic” and “graphic” way possible and to advance in “comprehensive, coordinated and effective care”.
Attention even if there is no complaint
The director of Emakunde has shown her “satisfaction” for the preparation of a guide that she has said is an “expressed need” by the victims and the result of collaborative work.
Elgarresta added that there is a consensus on the need to expand the care system for victims of all forms of sexist violence beyond that carried out by a partner or ex-partner and even if there is no complaint.
“Obviously we have to continue encouraging women to report, but we must also attend to them regardless of whether they do so,” he stated. EFE