Best practices to approach forced marriages in Catalonia (Spain)

• In Event: Forced Marriages Domestic Violence and sexual abuse: Practices and Perspectives

Abstract

Forced marriage (FM) is a manifestation of violence against women scarcely addressed in Spain, except in Catalonia. This research, based on in-depth interviews with key actors, identifies five good practices in the institutional, welfare and police approach to this reality in Catalonia which, with the appropriate improvements, could be implemented throughout Spain and other European countries where this reality has not been clearly addressed, to favour the surfacing and adequate treatment of the victimisation of women by FM. These good practices are: 1. The approval of the Catalan Protocol for the Prevention and Tackling of FMs in 2020 and its revision process in 2023, 2. The preparation of local protocols for dealing with FM, 3. The support programme for victims of FM implemented by specialised entities, 4. The role of the so-called "referents" in the prevention of FM and the recovery of victims and 5. The approach of the Catalan autonomous police to FM.

Authors

• Carolina Villacampa, University of Lleida

• Clàudia Torres Ferrer, University of Lleida

• Rubén Espuny, University of Lleida