Escalating incidences of sexual violence against minors: The Fiscalía delved into 3,283 cases in the year 2024

In Spain, a concerning trend has emerged in recent years: an increase in crime and gender violence among minors. The Prosecutor's Office has taken notice, attributing this rise to a variety of factors.

The Prosecutor's Office has pointed out a deficiency in the education of values, suggesting that the educational environment has not been successful in mitigating the increase in gender violence among minors. Moreover, the lack of adolescents' ability to critically assess pornography and understand that what they see is fiction has been identified as a significant issue. The Prosecutor's Office emphasises the need for adolescents to have tools to interpret content, as they often access it without having completed their maturation process.

One area of particular concern is the rise in violent behaviours. Crimes against life have seen an 18.8% increase, with 120 homicides reported in 2024. The Ministry of Justice attributes this increase to factors such as lack of adequate affective-sexual relationships, alcohol and substance consumption, and early access to pornography.

The Prosecutor's Office has also expressed concern about the internet becoming a teacher and consultant on sexuality for children and youth, leading to distorted sexual practices based on dominance and submission. The office calls for reflection on the lack of precise mechanisms to equip minors with the necessary tools to manage their frustration, lack of control over digital instruments, or confusion between the real world and social networks.

Furthermore, the Prosecutor's Office has warned about the abuse of technologies and social networks in the spread of ideologies that target minors and sometimes minimize violence against women. In 2024, 888 cases of gender violence were registered in the context of couples and ex-partners, a 10% increase from the previous year.

The arrival of unaccompanied minor migrants has also been a significant issue in Spain. In 2024, a total of 5,922 unaccompanied minor migrants arrived in Spain by sea. The Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) reported that most asylum applicants were under 30, with a large share being children and adolescents under 16 from approximately 60 countries. These young migrants have been exposed to violence and trauma.

Despite the concerning rise in crime, there has been a 6% decrease in crime among minors in 2024 compared to 2023, with 67,367 preliminary diligences opened. The number of DNA tests carried out by the National Police doubled in 2024, rising from 577 to 1,028. Additionally, 7,562 pre-trial proceedings for age determination were initiated, 140 more than those registered in 2023.

The majority of unaccompanied minor migrants in 2024 came from Morocco (1,834), followed by Mali (1,190), Algeria (1,006), and Senegal (687). The Prosecutor's Office initiated 3,283 cases of crimes against sexual freedom in 2024, compared to 3,185 in 2023 and 2,947 in 2022.

While overall crime among minors decreased in 2024, crimes against life increased. Spain recorded a 165% increase in the arrival of unaccompanied minor migrants in 2024, rising from 238 to 631. As of December 31, 2024, a total of 16,041 unaccompanied minor migrants were registered, exceeding the data from 2023.

These developments underscore the need for continued efforts to address the root causes of crime and gender violence among minors, and to provide the necessary support and resources for these vulnerable individuals.

Escalating incidences of sexual violence against minors: The Fiscalía delved into 3,283 cases in the year 2024