Gender-based violence has been a persistent problem that has claimed innocent lives over the years. So far in 2024, 35 women have already been murdered , a figure that should set off alarm bells in society. However, what is even more chilling is that during the summer months, 19 fatalities have been added to these statistics, representing more than half of this year's deaths.
A worrying pattern in the holiday months
Statistics show that gender-based violence intensifies during the holiday season. The perpetrators and victims spend more time together, which increases the likelihood of these heinous crimes occurring. Since 2003, the months of July and August have been consolidated as the deadliest, with 136 and 120 fatalities , respectively. June and January have also been affected, with 117 and 112 deaths each.
The Attorney General's Office has analysed these figures in its most recent annual report, which shows that gender violence increases significantly during weekends and holidays. This pattern is attributed to the intensification of cohabitation during holiday periods.
The stories behind these figures are heartbreaking. The youngest victim was just 20 years old, while the oldest was 76. Violence not only leaves a trail of deaths, but also causes family tragedies: eleven minors have been left orphaned as a result of these crimes.
This summer there have been three documented murders due to vicarious violence , all in Castilla – La Mancha, which highlights a particularly insidious form of violence affecting women and their families. The autonomous communities that have experienced the highest number of femicides during this season are: Andalucía , Comunidad Valenciana and Cataluña , followed by the Community of Madrid, País Vasco, Castilla y León, Aragón, Galicia and Castilla – La Mancha.
It is imperative that society becomes aware of the magnitude of this problem. The Ministry of Equality , under the direction of Ana Redondo, and the Government Delegation against Gender Violence have called for action. The recent news of a 31-year-old woman allegedly murdered by her partner in Bilbao highlights the urgency of addressing this crisis.
Since these crimes began to be recorded in 2003, 1,279 women have lost their lives due to gender violence in Spain.
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