Yesterday we participated in the round table organised by the 25N Committee in Terrassa, where we discussed how institutional sexist violence renders sexism invisible and perpetuates it. The question that guided the meeting was one we encountered on a daily basis: “Why do many women say that, if they could go back in time, they would not report it?”
We share experiences and reflect on the obstacles that women face when seeking justice. Among the main conclusions, we highlight that:
- Laws are often not enforced:Although some laws recognize institutional violence and propose measures to protect women, in practice this protection does not arrive.
- Women do not always receive the information they need: Especially in courts, police stations and other public institutions, it is common for women to be unaware of their rights.
- Prejudices and stereotypes are still presentIn the judicial field, those who apply the law often do so from a perspective full of stereotypes, denying the credibility of women and minimizing psychological violence. The myth of the “perfect victim” still prevails.
- Care services are limited: Short hours and a lack of trained personnel in these services make it difficult for women to access them.
Finally, in seeking answers to institutional sexist violence, OVIM continues to support collective denunciation and social and political advocacy actions from civil society. Our goal is to contribute to the transformation of institutions and demand state responsibility to ensure that women's rights are truly protected. We firmly believe that, with a joint effort, we can make this violence visible and promote changes in institutions. Join the collective denunciation!
