What is the Observatory?

The Observatory against Domestic and Gender-based Violence is an institution founded in 2002, whose purpose it is to address the way this violence is dealt with from within the Judicial Administration. It is currently integrated into the General Council of the Judiciary; the Ministry of Justice; the Ministry of Health, Social Services and Equality; the Ministry of the Interior; the State Prosecutor General; the Autonomous Regions with authority transferred to Court; the General Council of the Spanish Bar Association and the General Council of Spanish Notaries.

The Observatory against Domestic and Gender Violence is an instrument for analysis and policy making that puts forward initiatives and measures within the justice system aimed at eradicating domestic and gender violence.

 

When did it come into being? Who is involved?

The memorandum through which the Observatory was established was signed on 26 September 2002. It is currently part of the following institutions: the General Council of the Judiciary (CGPJ), which occupies the Presidency; the Ministry of Justice; the Ministry of Health, Social Services and Equality; the State Prosecutor General; the Autonomous Regions with judicial competencies, via annual rotation; the General Council of the Spanish Bar Association and the General Council of Spanish Notaries.

 

¿Where are its headquarters?

The headquarters of the Observatory are in calle del Marqués de le Ensenada 8, in Madrid, in the building of the General Council of the Judiciary.

 

What are its objectives?

The following may be highlighted among the objectives that led to the creation of the Observatory:

• Raising the efficiency of the justice system in the area of domestic and gender violence so that they may be eradicated.
• Improving coordination between the different institutions by taking part in the preparation of action protocols.
• Studying and analysing judicial decisions and proposals for the improvement and reform of legislation.
• Statistical monitoring of the phenomenon in connection with the justice system.
• Providing specialised training to judges, public prosecutors and other personnel working within the justice system.

 

How does it operate?

The representatives of the institutions that make up the Observatory meet at regular intervals. The Observatory also holds meetings with associations of women and other affected groups, and with agencies and institutions involved in this matter.

 

What does it actually do?

The tasks the Observatory fulfils are directly related to the objectives established in its memorandum of constitution:

• Compiling and analysing data from judicial statistics, such as the number of cases reported to the police, protection orders, judgments, victims, etc.
• Promoting the analysis, study and investigation of the response of the justice system.
• Drawing up conclusions and recommendations on trends in gender violence.
• Giving yearly recognition awards to the individual, institution or association that has made the most significant contribution to the eradication of domestic and gender violence.
• Most importantly, the Observatory is an instrument for improving coordination between the institutions under its umbrella, and for implementing initiatives for the eradication of domestic and gender violence through the justice system.