Mobile units to attend to domestic violence victims
€4 million a year to employ 50 professionals to aid mistreated women
THE REGIONAL government is setting up mobile units to help victims of domestic violence.
Regional vice-president Mónica Oltra said the teams will serve inland areas where there is no such service available for women.
She said they will take into account the ‘peculiarities of these rural zones’.
Sra Oltra explained that the initiative is being launched following a study carried out last year.
She stated the investigation found that women in these areas are ‘subject to greater control by the community’ because ‘opinions and beliefs hold more weight over individuals’.
There is also ‘less awareness of discriminatory behaviour’.
“Due to this we decided that it was necessary to respond to the situation,” said Sra Oltra.
This will be done via ‘specialised attention’ which will allow for ‘direct interventions’ for women who are victims of domestic violence and their children.
The regional government will also offer funding to allow these victims ‘to move towards an independent life’.
Experts will advise them on available grants, how they can access the ‘inclusion income’ benefit, and also on job opportunities.
The mobile teams will operate from four bases around the region – Elda, Yátova, Segorbe and Sant Mateu.
The team in Elda will serve areas of Alicante province including Alt Vinalopó, Vinalopó Mitjà, L'Alcoià, El Comptat, La Costera and La Vall d'Albaida.
It will be coordinated by two social services experts, who will be able to call in psychologists, social workers and other ‘technical staff ’.
In total the regional government will be employing 50 professionals for the initiative at a cost of around €4 million a year.
At the same time Sra Oltra noted that next year emergency benefits for domestic violence victims will increase.
Monies available for basic necessities will go up from €200 to €2,205; the housing grant from €2,000 to €2,940; security and protection from €2,000 to €2,205; and transport from €500 to €735.