The Government of the Canary Islands, via the Canary Institute of Equality (ICI), intends to allocate approximately three million euros for the establishment of five support centers for survivors of sexual violence. These facilities will operate round the clock, 365 days a year, in order to provide prompt assistance to the victims of such crimes, and the regional administration anticipates their commencement within this year.
The Executive has assigned over 2,900,000 euros for this project, which will be utilized for the acquisition and refurbishment of premises as well as the training of specialized staff, to be provided by the local authorities. This was elucidated by Ana Isabel Brito, the director of the ICI.
The Canary Islands Institute of Equality aims to establish these centers in Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura, Lanzarote, and La Palma; areas with the highest population density. The objective is to provide assistance to adult women and minors who have experienced such assaults.
In November, Chief Minister of Equality and Diversity, Cristina Arceo, expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Equality for postponing the implementation of the projects for these centers. Cristina Arceo clarified that “these centers will deliver psychological, legal, and social assistance to victims, their families, and their support circles.”
The personnel will also offer support and furnish information through phone, online, and in person.
The establishment of these facilities in Gran Canaria, Tenerife, La Palma, Lanzarote, and Fuerteventura
The deputy minister explained two months ago that “the processes for the acquisition of the properties required for launching a total of five centers situated in Gran Canaria, Tenerife, Fuerteventura, Lanzarote, and La Palma“are well advanced, but more time is needed for their complete execution, similar to other regions.”
The director of the Canarian Institute of Equality highlights that, together with the various local authorities, the Autonomous Community currently maintains 101 resources within the Canary Islands network of services and specialized public centers for providing social support to survivors of gender-based violence.
Victims of physical or psychological gender-based attacks have access to seven Emergency Devices for Attacked Women (DEMA) in Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura, Lanzarote, La Palma, La Gomera, and El Hierro. These facilities are staffed by a lawyer, psychologist, and social worker.
These resources furnish information regarding the rights of the affected individuals, guidance on necessary actions, entitlements and alternatives, legal counsel, and potential protective measures, assistance to access healthcare facilities, and filing complaints, coordination with the judiciary, prosecution, and law enforcement agencies, as well as emergency and hospital health services. Where necessary, DEMA also oversees and facilitates the immediate admission of victims or their referral to specialized services.
Accommodation services comprise immediate reception centers (CAI), shelters, and supervised apartments. There are a total of six immediate reception centers in El Hierro, La Palma, Tenerife, Fuerteventura, Lanzarote, and Gran Canaria. TO Victims and their children at risk are offered temporary housing and support. They can stay in these centers for 15 days. In the initial 48 hours, they receive immediate psychological support, assessment, and family and social evaluation. Moreover, social, legal, and where necessary, educational interventions are provided.
The 12 shelters offer accommodation and sustenance to survivors for a maximum of 12 months. Support programs and comprehensive assistance are provided to empower them from a personal perspective and facilitate their social or occupational integration. Tenerife has four shelters, while Gran Canaria and the remaining islands each have two, except for La Gomera, La Palma, Fuerteventura, and Lanzarote, which have one each.
Provision of assistance to survivors round the clock, 365 days a year, as per Ana Isabel Brito
Once ready or upon their completion of the provided support period, the regional network can refer them to supervised apartments. There are six such apartments in Canary Islands, with four in Tenerife, one in Gran Canaria, and one in Fuerteventura. Occupancy in these apartments is permitted for an additional year.
Additionally, there are specialized intervention and support services, which can be arranged by the local authorities or certain municipal councils. Gran Canaria hosts 28 of these, while there are 18 in Tenerife, and at least one in the other islands. These offices offer support to victims, their children, and survivors of gender-based violence cases, delivering social, legal, psychological, occupational, and educational advice as required. Appointments can be scheduled via phone or email.
