MEETING MINUTES

anavasbinder.jpg (197054 bytes)Monday 27th March, Grand Cafe, Javea - 2006
 Click images to enlarge - photos by Sue Coley

ana.alma.jpg (302443 bytes)

Guest speaker: Ana Vasbinder

Translator: Alma Dorndorf

 

Ana introduced herself as having dual nationality, Peruvian & Dutch, living in Javea for 15 years, and being in political life for 6 years. The past four years of her political life have been spent as head of the Women’s Council in Javea.

The Women’s Council in Javea started in 2002. It has two main objectives:

1.       To help women with problems and to try to prevent those problems from happening.

2.       Education.

Domestic violence is a big problem in Spain. Four years ago it was an even more serious problem in Javea and in the Valencian community.

There are three sections within the Women’s Council:

1.       Collaboration with the Local Police and Guardia Civil

2.       Collaboration with the Health Centre and the Social Centre.

3.       The legal aid programme.

There are four specially trained policewomen in the Guardia Civil and the Local Police force; trained to deal with problems of domestic violence. They have psychological and legal training. They help victims of domestic violence obtain the Denuncia (accusation) against their husband or partner. If a woman goes to a member of the police who does not have this training, the case might be difficult.

The Denuncia (restraining order) is the first step.

The next step is the Health Centre for a medical examination and report. There are also specially trained people in the health Centre, who can provide the morning after pill, AIDS testing etc. A trained psychologist and social worker may be assigned to the victim.

The next step is with the Judge in court.

After this, the woman may go to a shelter with her children, or may stay at home while the man is arrested or stays in a B & B. For very severe cases of violence, the woman may go to a shelter outside the area. Addresses of all shelters are confidential.

The Javea Women’s Council works closely with the shelter in Pedregeur.

A lawyer, with experience in family law, is appointed to follow the woman’s wishes about finance, custody and distance order. This is free.

If violence is continuous, it often happens that the woman has no money. As well as practical assistance and prevention, the Women’s Council helps women to get back to work by providing Training Courses in Languages, Computers and other skills.

The Women’s Centre, La Mesquida, has re-opened as a Women’s Training Centre.

There is also a scheme starting that will help these women set up their own businesses, with credit free loans, advice and grants.

The Women’s Council are in the process of setting up a crèche, so that women with young children can return to the workplace.  

The Town Hall and the Dept of Culture support all these issues for women who are victims of domestic violence.

Leaflets are available in Spanish, Valenciano and English.

If anyone knows someone who suffers from domestic violence, give them information, as it is not very well publicised.

There is a 24 hour telephone number: 900 580 888. (This is on the front of the WIBC website) In two months time, there will be a free phone number.

The Javea Women’s Council can help everyone in Javea, even if they are not on the padron.

Donations are always needed.

There is a small cash source for emergencies. Sometimes a victim cannot wait for official bills to be paid as the need is urgent. It is vital that this “caja” is continuously funded.

Lawyers can advise whether it is better for WIBC to make purchases or give donations.

End of Ana’s presentation.

There was general concern about the lack of these facilities in other areas of Valencia, especially Torrevieja. These issues were raised by Karla Darocas and Bobby Frost, and supported by Chrissy Nossell and Lizzie Clayton. Ana has promised to get some information and telephone numbers for the Torrevieja area.

  • Merlyn Taylor suggested distributing stickers showing that help is available and providing telephone numbers. Merlyn offered to fund this campaign herself.

  • Joann Humby suggested that WIBC should fund at least a part-time person to answer the phone lines in English.

  • It was decided that WIBC need a Liaison Committee to work on this problem and its possible solutions, in close conjunction with the Town Hall.

  • The first volunteer for this committee is Nicole Smolders.

Bobby Frost announced that she received an invitation from Lady Wright, the wife of the British ambassador at Madrid, to represent WIBC at a Round Table Conference about domestic violence. It was unanimously agreed that Bobby should represent us at this conference and that her expenses should be covered by WIBC.

Mary Lucas announced that she will be retiring as Treasurer in mid-April. The new Finance Committee, headed by Chrissy Nossell and Valerie Reeve, will then take over.

WIBC 2nd Anniversary Party & Fundraisers will be in May 2006.

  • Calpe group: Reeta Jackson, Elisa Mayerhofer, Christine Miller & Savita have set a date for their Calpe party – Wednesday, May 24th.

  • Javea group: Ann Martin & Valerie Reeve – date to be confirmed.