Minors and Gender-based violence: from invisibility to visibility

Abstract

This article is aimed at conceptualising  minors  as victims  of gender-based  violence within  couple  relationships.  Accordingly,  we will analyse  the violence  suffered  by them as  this  is required  in order  to provide  an  appropriate  legal  and  political  treatment.  The analysis  will  use  empirical  research,  aimed  at showing  the violence  suffered  by women and their  children,  what  type  of protection  they  receive  from  the Justice Administration after  reporting  this,  and  the  violence  suffered  during  the  communication  and  overnight stay arrangements. Based on the data obtained, we will examine the legal tools available in Spanish law to protect them. We will also focus on the recent Victims’ Statute Act 4/2015 of 27 April and on the Constitutional Bill amending the protection system for children and adolescents,  acknowledging  minors  as victims. We will end with the contradictory  Draft Bill on the exercise of shared parental responsibility  in the event of annulment, separation or divorce.