Crime process

The sooner you report a crime, the easier it is for the police to investigate it and the more likely it can be solved.

Violence can also be reported to the police later. But, note the investigation is more difficult after time passes and that crimes have statutes of limitations.

If the police have reason to suspect that a crime has been committed, a pre-trial investigation is opened.

The length of the investigation depends on the nature of the crime. The length of the investigation also depends on the number of other cases that the police are dealing with simultaneously. Simple and clear-cut criminal offences are quick to investigate, while complex cases with little evidence take longer.

Emotional support and up-to-date counselling related to the criminal process are essential at every stage of the criminal process. Please note that the criminal process takes time.

If necessary, the victim can get a support person involved in the criminal process. The support person can support making a criminal report and in interrogations, in meetings with a legal assistant and in a trial. You should ask a support person to join the criminal process from the beginning.

You can find information on the Crime Victims Support Offices here:

mjusticia.gob.es

You should keep evidence related to violence also in cases you later report it to the police:

• Keep (or give it to a reliable person for safekeeping) documents, receipts, recordings and contacts with helping parties related to the crime and its consequences.
• If the perpetrator targets you with digital violence, you should keep the messages, take screenshots of them, keep a record of threatening calls, etc.
• If there have been eyewitnesses or other witnesses to the acts of violence, it is worth writing them down and their roles in relation to the crime or its consequences (e.g. if you have gone to a friend to escape violence, told a friend about the violence, etc.).
• It is important for you to go to health care whenever you have injuries and psychological consequences, even if the injuries do not require medical treatment. It would be important for you to honestly tell the healthcare provider who caused the injuries and when.
• If you have been a victim of sexual violence, your injury can be documented at a support centre in the area and less than a month has passed since the rape.

The police should be notified immediately if a child is the victim of violence.

When children are involved in a family where violence occurs, it is considered a matter of child protection. Although children are not the primary targets of violence, they can be seriously traumatised by it. No one should be alone if they face violence.

Family members are not allowed to hurt each other, e.g., by hitting, kicking, pulling hair, biting, or throwing items.

Many acts of emotional abuse, such as threats and intimidation, are also forbidden by the law.