Minister of Equality Apologizes for Telecommunication Issues Affecting Victims of Gender Violence

On Wednesday, Minister of Equality Ana Redondo extended her apologies to the victims of gender violence regarding the disturbances caused by failures in the telematic bracelets designed for abusers. During her appearance at the Senate Plenary, she emphasized that her Ministry has launched a thorough internal investigation into these concerns. "Our only aim is the protection of victims and the guarantee of their safety," Redondo expressed, highlighting the importance of addressing any potential accountability if contract clauses are not fulfilled. Redondo acknowledged that the commotion surrounding the safety of the anti-violence bracelets has only amplified the anxiety felt by survivors, who are already grappling with distressing situations in their daily lives. "Your safety has been, is, and will continue to be our priority," she stated, referring to the Cometa system responsible for monitoring abusers' bracelets. In discussing the broader context, Redondo referenced the State Pact against Gender Violence, emphasizing that the essence of this initiative is to foster consensus and collective effort in combating male violence rather than using survivors' suffering as a political weapon. "Not everything is acceptable in politics," she asserted. Moreover, the Minister criticized the misleading or, in some cases, blatantly false claims regarding the reliability of the protection system for victims of gender violence. She reaffirmed that the telematic monitoring system for compliance with restraining orders, known as Cometa, is one of the most advanced tools in the country aimed at safeguarding women victims of gender and sexual violence. As of August 31 this year, Redondo noted that 4,730 women are being protected through the Cometa system. Additionally, the VioGén System, which monitors active cases, has over 105,000 active cases across more than 800 municipalities. While these numbers are encouraging, she also recognized they are still insufficient, urging municipalities that have yet to participate to take action. Redondo admitted that while there is no such thing as zero risk concerning gender violence, the commitment from institutions and the government remains unwavering. Addressing concerns raised by the Prosecutors Office regarding issues in data migration between companies, she assured that the transition was conducted without service interruptions and that specific training accompanied the management of the new system. Although Redondo acknowledged that incidents might occur during the technological transition, she emphasized the existence of an immediate action protocol designed to resolve any difficulties promptly. She asserted that the system is currently operating effectively, stabilized, and improved compared to its predecessor model. Reflecting on the system's technological reliability, she admitted no system can be considered infallible. She also stated that there have been no releases attributed to failures in the geolocation of the devices. Nevertheless, following those technical incidents, a comprehensive monitoring plan has been implemented to enhance the response to any eventualities, identify areas for improvement, and ensure maximum protection for the victims. Looking ahead, Redondo informed that the current contract for the Cometa system expires on May 26, 2026. Thus, her Ministry is already preparing documentation for the upcoming tender. This new documentation will require the development of a real-time consultation application accessible to the Government Delegation against Gender Violence, personalized configuration options for language across devices, a specific complaints management module, and heightened specialized staffing in managing the service. The Minister's commitment to improving protection and support services for victims highlights the ongoing struggle against gender violence and the willingness to address emerging challenges head-on. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2