Spain's Ministry of the Interior has announced an extraordinary review of anti-harassment protocols following a series of sexual harassment allegations against high-ranking police officers. Simultaneously, a scandal is growing in Alicante related to irregularities in the allocation of social housing. Judges have forwarded documentation to the prosecutor's office and the unit for economic crime, while protests continue in the streets by residents outraged by corruption in the real estate sector.

Reform of Anti-Harassment Protocols

The Ministry of the Interior announces a thorough change in harassment reporting procedures within the police following scandals involving commissioners.

Housing Scandal in Alicante

UDEF is investigating the illegal sale of social housing and cases of favoritism towards families of local politicians.

Resignations in Local Police

The commissioner in charge of police in Alcalá de Henares resigned from his position in connection with rape allegations.

Spain's uniformed services and local administration are facing an unprecedented image crisis, triggered by a series of allegations of abuse of power, sexual violence, and corruption. The head of the Ministry of the Interior announced profound changes to the police's internal procedures, a direct response to leaked recordings and victim testimonies. These document the brutal psychological and physical pressure that commissioners are alleged to have exerted on female officers under their command. Ex-DAO and other high-ranking officers have become central figures in investigations that have exposed gaps in the victim protection system within the services. At the same time, a scandal has erupted in the province of Alicante concerning the illegal trade of social housing units. Irregularities were detected in the town of Sant Joan d'Alacant, where the commercialization of apartments built with public funds occurred in violation of the law. The situation was exacerbated by the release of video footage showing a luxury renovation of a social housing apartment, which under controversial circumstances ended up in the hands of the son of a councilor from the People's Party. The judge leading the proceedings decided to forward the documentation to the UDEF, suggesting the wide scope of the practice. The Spanish real estate market has been a field of social tensions for years, and memories of the 2008 crisis make the public particularly sensitive to any signs of corruption in this sector. Tensions have spilled over into the political and social spheres. In Móstoles, the city council rejected a motion to establish an investigative commission into sexual harassment allegations against the mayor, which was met with loud criticism from the opposition. In Alicante, hundreds of people demonstrated in front of the town hall, chanting slogans against corruption and demanding justice in access to housing absorbed by individuals connected to the authorities. This situation is becoming an increasingly significant challenge for the central government, forcing it to take radical steps to restore trust in public institutions. „Marlaska promete una revisión extraordinaria de los protocolos contra el acoso sexual en la policía.” (Marlaska promises an extraordinary review of sexual harassment protocols in the police.) — Marlaska

Mentioned People

  • Marlaska — Minister of the Interior of Spain, announced the reform of anti-harassment protocols.
  • Emilio de la Calle — Police commissioner suspended from duties after the release of recordings indicating harassment.