Group ” V I O G E N E X”

Group ” V I O G E N E X”

“VIOGENEX” (VIOIencia de GÉnero a Extranjeras – Gender Violence against Foreign Women) is a work group established to help foreign women who are or have been gender violence victims. This ground-breaking initiative in Spain was requested by the Foreigners Department at the Mijas Town Hall. This initiative was approved during the Local Security Assembly which took place in November 2016 as an answer to the need and the lack of information of foreign women living in our municipality as well as to coordinate that help and prevent new cases of Gender Violence.

To carry out this project the group counts on the collaboration of different public organisations and private associations who join forces to give the support these women in need. All these groups are coordinated by the Foreigners Department at the Mijas Town Hall:

  • Mijas Civil Guard
  • Mijas SIMA Local Police
  • Red Cross – Mijas
  • Equality and Social Welfare, Mijas Town Hall
  • Soroptimist International Costa del Sol
  • Lions Club, La Cala de Mijas
  • Age Care Association
  • Foreigners Department, Mijas Town Hall

How does VIOGENEX group work?

VIOGENEX holds quarterly meetings, arranged and coordinated by the Foreigners Department with the goal of improving and adapting the existing service to the diverse needs of the gender violence victims in Mijas and coordinate the actions between the organisations, units and groups. Depending on the agenda and the pending topics, the group invites representatives of different organisations to collaborate, for instance: the Women Institute, Junta de Andalucía, municipal councillors from other municipalities, associations or the consular body of Málaga. The group also increases the number of members depending on the needs and actions to take.

  • Depending on the agenda and the pending topics, the group invites representatives of different organisations to collaborate, for instance: the Women Institute, Junta de Andalucía, municipal councillors from other municipalities, associations or the consular body of Málaga. The group also increases the number of members depending on the needs and actions to take.

How does it work in case of emergency?

The Civil Guard and SIMA Local Police rely on groups of agents specialised in dealing and attending Gender Violence Cases. Furthermore, the SIMA Local Police offers the victims a follow-up on their case (Specially when the judge establishes a retraining order). Additionally, a group of volunteering interpreters have been created. They offer a translation and interpreting service. Said service is available in evenings, nights, weekends and bank holidays to help foreign women who can’t speak Spanish and need to communicate with the public administrations in charge, like the Civil Guard.

The Equality and Social Welfare areas of Mijas Town Hall have a Women’s Centre where it offers information, psychological help, legal advice, economic support and professional training

The Foreigners Department offers first hand attention to the victims who visit them in the office where they can help them in 4 different languages. They also offer advice and translation services at the Women’s Centre for Equality and Social Welfare, Mijas Town Hall, Civil Guard and Local Police. On the other hand, The Department has financed the printing of posters, leaflets and stickers of the campaign “You are not alone”, which they still promote on local media and through collaborations (e.g., with the company “Taxi Mijas”).

Mijas Red Cross offers volunteers to accompany the victim so they are not alone during the emergency, transport transfer and clothes

Soroptimist International Costa del Sol in collaboration with Age Care and the Lions Club in La Cala de Mijas offer the victims accommodation in hostels, free food and clothes and they prepare an “Emergency bag” for the victim and her kids.

VIOGENEX created a Whatsapp group with all the members of the group to facilitate the communication in case of emergency before and after the working hours.

How do the collaborations of the group work?

Campaign “You are not alone” – Women Institute, Junta de Andalucía

The group VIOGENEX collaborates closely with the Women Institute and the Junta de Andalucía in the campaign “You are not alone”, a free phone service focused on women who wish to get some information about how to identify a situation of gender violence, to learn more about their rights and the help available. This service is offered in 46 languages.

Likewise, VIOGENEX has publisehd and distributed thousands of informative leaflets in several languages, posters, stickers and a video in Spanish and English which is usually broadcast on RTV 340 of Mijas Comunicación and published on social media to promote and support the campaign “You are not alone”.

It is a service to help these women, victims of gender violence since many of them feel lonely and desperate. The message is clear: YOU ARE NOT ALONE!

There are two very important phone numbers: one if for information for victims of gender violence of the Andalusian Women Institute: 900 200 999 – 24hrs. and the emergency number: 112


NOTICIAS RELACIONADAS

Este sitio web utiliza cookies para que usted tenga la mejor experiencia de usuario. Si continúa navegando está dando su consentimiento para la aceptación de las mencionadas cookies y la aceptación de nuestra política de cookies, pinche el enlace para mayor información.