The Official College of Psychology of the Balearic Islands (Copib) has warned on Monday of the “extreme situation” faced by professionals who work every day in specialized services in gender violence, coinciding with the International Day for the Eradication of Gender Violence, which is commemorated this Tuesday. The collegiate body stresses the seriousness of the context and calls on institutions to take urgent measures to ensure adequate care for women victims and their children, according to a statement released by the entity.
In its position, Copib reiterates the firm denunciation of male violence and the defense of the rights, safety and dignity of the victims. The organization warns that the problem is widespread in all services, but especially affects those who practice psychology, “whose work is essential and requires appropriate conditions to ensure a quality intervention”.
“Those who accompany women and children who live or have lived through gender violence do so with a strong ethical, social and human commitment,” says the school, which emphasizes the extensive and rigorous training required for these positions.
Services recharged
Copib denounces that, in most specialized resources, the care load exceeds what is recommended, which can compromise professional intervention. In addition, the precariousness of some facilities, the lack of contractual stability and the high turnover of personnel are factors that, according to Copib, “have a direct impact on the care provided to women victims and their children”. The fragmentation of accompaniment, when a woman has to deal with different professionals during her process, erodes therapeutic continuity and reduces the effectiveness of the support received.
The collegiate body also stresses the strong emotional impact faced by these teams. Daily contact with violence generates wear and tear that, if not addressed, leads to compassion fatigue, burnout and psychological leave, a “normalized” reality in many services.
Faced with this situation, Copib calls on administrations to assume their responsibility and adopt corrective measures: “Institutions must guarantee safe, stable and sustainable working environments,” the communiqué states.
