LAW TO BECOME TOUGHER ON DOMESTIC VIOLENCE OFFENDERS

The government presented a draft law on Friday which takes a much tougher stand against domestic violence, to be debated in Parliament later this month. The law is wide-ranging and includes the introduction of classes in gender equality in primary and secondary schools and the creation of a special fund to finance a network of centres throughout Spain to provide services to the victims. The draft law also envisages special labour rights for victims, such as subsidies for women over 50 who find it difficult to find a steady job. Victims will also be given priority for protected (i.e. subsidised) housing. The law also provides for specially trained units in the Local Police and the Guardia Civil. One clause bars people accused of domestic violence from holding gun licences and another increases prison terms. A threat of violence against a current or former partner will carry a prison term of six to 18 months, while anyone found guilty of injuring a partner can be jailed for two to five years. Judges will also be able to stop the accused from seeing their children. Since the beginning of this year, 27 women have been killed by current or former partners.