The Government of the Canary Islands requests that cases of sexist violence in Puerto de la Cruz not be transferred to Santa Cruz

«A hearing has been given to all the administrations that are interested, that have powers in justice, so that we can contribute what, in our opinion, would be the best option to attend to victims of violence against women. In our case, both the Government Chamber of the Superior Court of Justice of the Canary Islands (TSJC) as his own Canary Islands Government We understand that in the case of Puerto de la Cruz the solution is not to transfer the procedures to Santa Cruz de Tenerife, but rather that the best care for the victims would be produced with the unification of the judicial districts of Puerto de la Cruz and La Orotava», underlines Vallejo.

This unification, also defended by the political authorities and judicial operators, would allow, according to Vallejo, “to have eight courts” in the Orotava Valley, of which one could be exclusive of violence against women or, at least, one of instruction with gender violence. “That is the position that you will maintain the Government of the Canary Islands and the one that is going to move to the Ministry of Justicein line with what was stated by the legal operators, the Canarian justice itself or the municipal authorities”, Vallejo highlights.

For the regional deputy councillor, «the unification of the judicial districts is a medium-term proposal, but it is perfectly feasible that for a while there will not be a single seat (the future palace of justice), as is already the case in other judicial districts. However, this unification does offer organizational advantages in matters such as the guard service or the organization of the state security forces and bodies, for which it is complex to deal with two judicial districts that are so close to each other, with doubts about competences , overlapping shifts and other problems that generate dysfunctions in the service».

Regarding the possibility of this controversial measure being applied in the short term, Carla Vallejo clarifies that “it is still early to say, but given the opinion that has been expressed from the Canary Islands, we believe that the Ministry of Justice of the Government of Spain will understand that transferring these powers in violence against women from the municipality of Puerto de la Cruz to Santa Cruz de Tenerife would generate more harm than good for the victims. It would not be good either for victims’ rights or at an operational level. Our dialogue with the Ministry of Justice is very good and we trust that they will attend to this position, which is the majority in Canary Islandsnot to say unanimous.

The Permanent Commission of the General Council of the Judiciary (CGPJ) held on March 31, proposed to the Ministry of Justice that cases of violence against women in the municipality of Puerto de la Cruz, or persons residing in this town, be processed in the Courts of Violence against Women of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, in the Palace of Justice on Tres de Mayo Avenue. This proposal has not found a good reception in the tourist city and the PP, which was the first party to show its rejection, warned that “it has not been taken into account that the Judicial District of La Orotava has a specialized court that, if although it is not of exclusive competence, it does have it to attend to the victims of violence against women from San Juan de La Rambla to La Matanza de Acentejoso it does not seem reasonable or consistent that those in Puerto de la Cruz, instead of being treated in La Orotava, have to travel to Santa Cruz of Tenerife». A transfer that from People’s Party They consider that “it goes totally against the interests of citizens and, especially, of women victims of violence, since it seems evident that those who must travel to Santa Cruz de Tenerife will be harmed.”