A total of 87% of the assaults recorded last year were committed against women. The youngest was 16 years old and the oldest 88. The report also concludes that 43.6% of the assaults were committed on individuals under 25 years of age, and that 6% of the assaults on women were committed against 16 and 17-year-old girls.
The annual report published today highlights the fact that 61.4% of the assaults were treated less than 24 hours after they took place, and that 46.6% of the assaults were perpetrated during the weekend. With regard to women who were raped (vaginally, orally or anally), the report reveals that 58.5% of women were raped and that 56% of assaults on women were committed in a home. In 2024, the Clínic treated 30 homeless people who had been victims of sexual assault.
Regarding the profiles of the aggressors reported, the patients stated that they were their partner/ex-partner, friend, taxi driver, health professional, co-worker, roommate, social media contact, family member (living together or not)… A total of 7% of the women treated (n=48) were assaulted by their partner or ex-partner. All of them were raped, a similar figure to that ok 2023. The report also highlights the fact that 11% of the assaults were gang assaults (more than one assailant).
In terms of specific profiles, the annual report also reveals that a quarter of the women treated who are under the age of 45 are raped by an acquaintance in an environment that could be considered safe.
According to Dr Lluïsa Garcia Esteve, psychiatrist and president of the Committee on Gender-based Violence and Health, “the data indicate that women trust the support services and that immediate detection and response are essential”. “The Clínic’s commitment is to offer a rigorous and sensitive response, which not only helps the survivors to recover, but also contributes to combating gender-based violence from a public health and human rights perspective”.
Referral centre for the city of Barcelona
The Hospital Clínic Barcelona has an internal protocol in place to deal with cases of sexual assault effectively. This protocol involves professionals from different areas: nursing; social work; gynaecology; surgery; psychiatry; psychology; and infectious diseases. It is constantly being reviewed and updated, in order to implement best practices for proactive and preventive care. The main aim is to favour the survivors’ return to health and to facilitate legal proceedings, while ensuring emotional support and mental health care with due diligence.
