The Hospital Clínic publishes this information as part of its commitment to disseminate the knowledge it has at its disposal. We also want to publish this information so that the people who have been victims of sexual violence know that their situation is shared with other victims/survivors of gender-based violence. Data are given on the victims and the assaults, and also on the use of the A&E Department for treatment, which allows us to analyse the need for resources in order to maintain a model of excellence.
Data in the final report on all the assaults treated at the A&E Department in 2023 include the following:
- 47% of the assaults were on young people 16 -25 years old
- 65% of the assaults were treated less than 24 hours after the assault took place
- 65% of the women were raped (vaginally, anally and/or orally)
- 47.3% of the assaults on women were perpetrated in a home. The main place where sexual assaults are committed
- In 37% of the women, physical injuries were recorded (last year 22%)
- 11% of the assaults take place in nightlife venues (there are cases in nightclub bathrooms, bars, etc.)
- 3.4% of the assaults (n=23) were on homeless people. Of the total, 16 were women and 7 were men. Out of all the assaults on homeless people 7 were gang assaults
- Half of the women assaulted knew their assailant and 8.1% (n=49) of the assaults on women were perpetrated by more than one assailant (2, 3 or more assailants).
The Hospital Clínic Barcelona is the referral centre in the city of Barcelona for the treatment of victims of recent sexual violence who are over 16 years of age. Over more than 30 years, the Hospital Clínic has developed a comprehensive care model for treating victims of sexual violence. It is a healthcare model that involves emergency treatment and monitoring. A multidisciplinary team with different professionals and levels of care carries out this treatment. The model guarantees victim-centred care, addressing the victims’ needs, offering support, and respect in decision-making, and avoids secondary victimization.
The Hospital Clínic has an internal protocol that is followed successfully when a person is sexually assaulted. The protocol involves professionals from different areas: nursing, social work, gynaecology, surgery, psychiatry and psychology, and professionals specializing in infectious diseases. The protocol is constantly being reviewed and improved, with best practices being designed for proactive and preventive care. All action is aimed at promoting recovery of health and facilitating the survivors’ legal actions, exercised with due diligence, offering emotional support and mental health care. The Hospital Clínic de Barcelona maintains that sexual violence causes illness and involves health risks, leading to short- and long-term illnesses and mental health problems.
