January 2013 - Costa Calida Chronicle

In association with Costa Cálida International Radio and www.angloINFO.com
Help for English Speaking Victims of
Domestic Violence
The British Consulate and the Subdelegación
del Gobierno held an event to help English
speaking residents and tourists access
the support that is available for victims of
domestic violence.
Domestic violence offences account for
around 30% of the arrests that the British
Consulate is informed about, and the
province of Alicante currently has nearly 200
British nationals who are receiving some
kind of police protection having filed a report
against domestic violence, which is why that
Consulate was keen to make sure that all
potential victims know where to turn.
The event was opened by the British Consul,
Paul Rodwell and the Delegada del Gobierno,
Paula Sánchez de León. Their message
was that it is essential to remove any fear
or stigma around the issue and to help
all victims, including English speakers, to
access the extensive support network that
exists already.
Mr Rodwell said “As part of our objective
to assist the vulnerable, I want to make
sure that British nationals are aware of the
support that the Spanish state provides
for victims of domestic violence. We are
experiencing a worrying trend and it is very
important that victims know that they can
call the domestic violence helpline 016 and
get through to someone English speaking.
The social services, courts and women’s
centres can also offer a wide range of
support mechanisms to help victims cope.”
During the event, local English speaking
associations, such as RBL, Samaritans,
HELP Benidorm and HELP Marina Alta and
Women in Business, had the opportunity
to hear about the different services that
are available and how to access them, as
well as a chance to meet the local Spanish
authorities who offer the support.
Here is a useful checklist of available
resources. For more detail, visit
residenteseuropeos.com:
Emergency Services Helpline 112 if you
feel you are in danger.
Call the national Domestic Violence
Hotline 016 for professional advice on
support and services available.
To make a report:
062 – Civil Guard police
091 – National Police
Domestic Violence Court
Local Duty Court
For advice without making a report:
Town Hall Social Services.
Women’s Centres 24-hours tel 900 58 08
88
Infodona Centres (35 centres throughout
Valencian region) tel 902 011 029
Assistance to Victims of Crime offices (in
local courts)
Comprehensive information guide on welfare
rights for victims of gender-based violence,
which can be accessed, in English and
Spanish, at www.residenteseuropeos.
com
(photos)
Investigation into ‘Boiler Room’ Fraud
Leads to 22 Arrests in Spain
Ten British nationals were among 22 people
arrested in Spain as part of an investigation
into an organised crime group believed to
be responsible for defrauding hundreds of
victims of over eight million Euros.
The multi-agency investigation, led by the
Spanish National Police and supported by the
Serious Organised Crime Agency and City of
London Police, also resulted in the seizure
of four firearms, ammunition and 367,000€.
Officers believe that members of the crime
group operated a ‘boiler room’ fraud in
which intensive telephone campaigns were
carried out to persuade over 200 members
of the British public to put their savings into
investment packages that did not exist.
During searches of addresses in Barcelona
and other Catalan provinces, officers
also recovered seven false UK passports,
numerous computers, hard drives, USB
sticks, mobile telephones, lists of potential
clients and manuals on how to get people to
part with their money.
Ian Milne, SOCA’s Head of Operations in
Europe, said: “Working with partners to
protect members of the public is a priority
for SOCA. We believe this organised crime
group was running a sophisticated and
complex ‘boiler room’ fraud. Shutting it
down has put a stop to more members of
the public being duped into parting with
their hard earned cash.”
Enquiries have revealed that the alleged
perpetrators used false identification
documents, travelled constantly, changed
addresses regularly, and used the name of a
non-profit making company to open current
accounts with various banks. The 22 people
have been charged with being part of an
organised crime group, as well as with fraud
offences. Five of the British nationals were
remanded in custody and the others were
released on bail.
Spanish Launch of New International
Initiative to Tackle Travelling Child Sex
Offenders from the UK
A new international initiative to prevent UK
sex offenders travelling to other countries
and gaining access to children through
teaching or volunteering roles was launched
in Spain. Specialist Spanish officers tackling
child sexual abuse have shared their
expertise and experience of combatting
this crime with staff from the UK’s Child
Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP)
Centre during a two-day law enforcement
workshop, which included the launch of the
International Child Protection Certificate.
Page 38
Please tell our customers where you saw their advertisement in the Costa Cálida Chronicle
Sales Contact Teresa 619 199 407 or for the Editor Contact Patti 646 005 017
www.costacalidachronicle.com
email: costacalidachronicle@gmail.com