ICAM: 20 Years of Legal Support Against Gender-Based Violence
On the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, the Madrid Bar Association (ICAM) commemorates the 20th anniversary of Spain’s groundbreaking Gender Violence Law, highlighting its impact on protecting victims. Since its enactment, ICAM’s specialized Legal Aid Service has provided free legal assistance to 147,329 women and assigned over 211,000 cases to dedicated lawyers.
This year alone, the service has assisted 7,558 women, a 4.5% increase compared to the same period last year. The steady growth in demand reflects both the persistence of the issue and the critical role of accessible legal services.
“The 24/7 dedication of our legal professionals ensures immediate, specialized support for victims, often at the most vulnerable moments in their lives,” said Juan Manuel Mayllo, head of ICAM’s Legal Aid Division.
To mark this milestone, ICAM hosted a high-level event featuring legal experts such as María Luisa Segoviano and Teresa Peramato, who discussed the law’s achievements and the pressing challenges that remain. The event emphasized the need for continued collaboration between public and private sectors to improve protections, ensure sustainability, and promote justice for all.
“While much progress has been made, significant challenges persist, and we remain steadfast in our commitment to strengthening these vital protections,” concluded ICAM Vicedecana Isabel Winkels.
