The Coordination Unit against Violence against Women of the Government Delegation in Navarre celebrated today, at the Planetarium of Pamplona, the sixth day on Violence against Women within the commemorative events of the 25N, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. A day in which sexual violence among young people has been addressed and opened by the government delegate in Navarre in office.
Valentín Velasco has pointed out that, although the known crimes against sexual freedom and compensation have increased, they are crimes that enjoy a high degree of police effectiveness. Thus, in 2021, 81.2 percent of them were clarified, according to data from the Ministry of the Interior.
He also highlighted the “intense” work that the Spanish Government has done and continues to do in the fight against violence against women in all its manifestations. Among other measures, it has highlighted the implementation of the “Spain Plan protects you against male violence”, endowed with 153.4 million euros, which aims to extend and make accessible to all potential victims of all forms of violence against women comprehensive care services. Within this Plan, the creation and opening of 24h Crisis Centres for women and survivors of sexual violence is foreseen, which, in the case of Pamplona, is expected to open its doors at the beginning of next year.
Sexual violence and youth: And now what?
The first presentation of the day was given by Lydia Delicado, doctor in Human Sciences and Education, who spoke about cultural hypersexualization, pornography and sexual violence in the digital society. He stressed that the cultural industries only promote a specific idea of women, not a diverse idea, and it is an idea based on sexualization and the commercialization of the body. The woman is located from a position of sexual object that generates dehumanization. The same thing happens, he said, with the contents that derive from pornography, which normalizes sexual aggressiveness and conveys a legitimizing message of violence.
For his part, the professor of Psychology Antonio Andrés Pueyo has reflected on paedophilia, paedophilia and the risk of sexual violence against minors. Today’s society, he says, has less violence than ever, but it is very worrying. As a positive element, he considers that sexual violence is increasingly part of the social agenda, but believes that it is necessary to make progress in so-called secondary prevention, in cases of risk such as those derived from people who have served their sentences, for example, for paedophilia. It understands that the prevention of sexual crime should focus not only on the victim but also on the aggressor and his or her environment.
The forensic psychologist José Manuel Muñoz has talked about the preconstituted test, the assessment and the credibility of the testimony of minors who have suffered sexual abuse. He has pointed out that the testimony of the victims is fundamental in sexual violence and is the most important means of proof in these cases. Likewise, the forensic psychological report also has an important impact in such cases.
On the treatment and intervention with sexual aggressors both in the penitentiary center and in the outpatient environment, he reflected Josean Echauri, who is a doctor in Psychology and founding partner of the PSIMAE (Institute of Legal and Forensic Psychology). He explained that there is no single profile of the sexual assailant. Yes, there are non-specialized recidivist sexual assailants, specialized recidivist assailants, and non-recidivist sexual assailants, which constitute the largest group. Each of these types has specific characteristics. Echauri has pointed out that there are several models of intervention with aggressors and the treatment includes evaluation, individual therapy, group therapy and the follow-up phase. The process lasts around two years and includes intervention in the behavioral, cogonitive, emotional and sexual areas. Most of the aggressors who undergo treatment do not relapse, he has highlighted.
The day ended with the intervention of the psychologist Juana Azcárate, who spoke about the treatment of cases of sexual violence within organizations working with minors. He stressed the importance of not questioning the credibility of the victim ' s testimony when such abuses were revealed.