Male violence takes many forms and occurs in a diverse range of environments: from physical violence to psychological, sexual, digital or labour violence; in the family, at the hands of partners or ex-partners; at home, at work or in public spaces. Those who suffer it do not have a specific profile: women of any age, children and young people, LGBTI people. Yet they all have something in common: they can combat it with the support of free and confidential public services, with specialist teams providing support throughout the process, from speaking about it for the first time to accessing shelter.

Besides municipal services and resources, people can also consult guides to detect male violence:

• How to know if you’re suffering male violence from your partner?
• How to detect sexual violence?
• Do you suspect a woman is suffering male violence?

What to do if you are at immediate risk:

If you suffer an aggression or a serious situation:

• Call 112. Try to keep your mobile phone with you at all times.
• If you’re at home, go to a communal space (balcony, staircase…).
• If you can’t get out, shut yourself in a room with a window, but avoid the kitchen and the bathroom.
• Shout and make a noise so neighbours can hear you.
• If you are responsible for minors, explain to them that if there is violence they must protect themselves and must not intervene. If you shut yourself in a room or decide to leave always try to do so with them.

More self-protection advice for women.

Are you suffering make violence or are you aware of a case?

The Care, Recovery and Shelter Service (SARA) offers face-to-face, online and phone support specifically for people suffering gender violence, such as women, children, teenagers, LGBTI people and anyone else affected. Together with Social Services, the SARA manages and facilitate access to shelter services which provide short and long-term accommodation for women and children.

• 900 922 357
• Phone support: Monday to Friday, from 9 am to 2 pm, and Monday to Thursday, from 4 pm to 7 pm
• Emergency face-to-face support: without an appointment, Monday to Friday, from 9 am to 1 pm.
• C/ Marie Curie, 16

There is also a specific service for children and teenagers bet the ages of 12 and 17, the SARA Jove:

• Appointments: 932 915 959
• Emergency support also available without an appointment
• sara.jove@bcn.cat

What should you do if you suffer a sexual aggression?

Barcelona has two specialist units, at two leading hospitals, to attend to people of any age who have suffered a sexual aggression.

• Unit specialising in sexual violence at the Hospital Clínic: provides support for people over 16. Opens round the clock every day of the year and also handles telephone consultations: 932 275 400.
• Specialist EMMA team at the Hospital Vall Hebron: attends to children and young people up to the age of 16 and handles consultations by email (equipemma@vhebron.net) and by phone (667 300 655: Monday to Friday, 8 am to 3 pm).

How to report a case of male violence?

The City Police operate a Victim Support Service (SAV), offering a safe space where people can formally denounce cases. This resource provides confidential priority support for women and their children who suffer male violence.

• Information and assistance in formally reporting cases
• Coordinated support with municipal services specialising in sexist violence and with the Mossos d’Esquadra police corps.

The SAV is available at two police stations operated by the City Police, with specific spaces for children and safe booths for assistance:

• Ciutat Vella (La Rambla, 43)
• Nou Barris (Carrer de Marie Curie, 20)

In an emergency, which services are operative 24-hours a day 365 days a year?

If you live in Barcelona and this type of situation occurs outside of the hours for the SARA, you can contact the Barcelona Social Emergency and Urgent Care Centre (CUESB):

• Tel. 900 703 030
• 24 hours a day, 365 days a year

You can also use the phone support service for gender violence, which covers the whole of Catalonia and offers free confidential support in 124 languages. The service provides information relating to gender violence and ways of activating intervention services in cases of aggression.

• Tel. 900 900 120
• 24 hours a day, 365 days a year

More specialised services

Other specialised services remain operative and provide support by phone or online:

• Women’s Information and Support Points (PIAD): public service, free and confidential, offering information, advice and guidance for women in different spheres, as well as psychological and legal advice. Phone: 900 922 357.
• Municipal Unit Against Human Trafficking (UTEH): comprehensive service (psychological, social and legal) for victims trafficked for whatever end (sexual exploitation, organ trafficking, begging etc.), advice for social and professional entities which need it. Email: unitatTEH@bcn.cat.
• ABITS Agency: support for cis and trans women working as prostitutes in Barcelona, giving priority to those in especially vulnerable situations. Comprehensive support so that they can find out about and exercise their rights under equal conditions. Email: abits@bcn.cat.

Support for men wishing to rethink their masculinity

The Plural Masculinities Centre is a municipal facility aimed at men wishing to move towards more open, respectful and healthy relational models. The centre offers individual and group psychology sessions, legal and technical advice, activities to explore diverse models of masculinity, training in masculinity and gender resources and tools for citizens and professionals.

• Avinguda del Marquès de l’Argentera, 22
• 933 491 610
• plural@bcn.cat