Escandell warns in Ibiza of the collapse due to the arrival of ‘menas’ and denounces new forms of neglect and mafias

The councilor of Social Welfare, Family and Equality of Ibiza, Carolina Escandell, expressed herself on the growing problem of migration on the island, describing as “exponential” the growth of arrivals of unaccompanied immigrant minors(MENA) since 2019. She warned that if this trend continues, the situation will be “unsustainable”.

The councilor stressed in an interview on TEF that the management of these minors is “very complex” and criticized that the island’s protection system, designed for classic vulnerability (such as abandonment or abuse), is not prepared for this situation.

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At that point, he defended that the massive arrival of minors responds to a situation of “pure migration” that should be managed by the State. He argued that this situation is “completely distorting the welfare model” of the Consell, which was not designed for this volume of cases.

Since 2019, the arrival of pateras to Ibiza began with sporadic “small waves”, but in this legislature, the growth has been “exponential”. In order to manage it, the Consell Insular has had to look for spaces and make “emergency contracts”.

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The risk of mafias and the “picaresque” of neglect

The consellera also expressed great concern for the “very large humanitarian drama” associated with migration, noting that many boats do not reach their destination. She lamented the enrichment of the mafias, pointing out that the minors themselves talk to each other, they warn each other about who is leaving and who has not arrived.

In addition to the risk of mafias, Escandell warned about a worrying “picaresque”: the trend of parents who travel to Ibiza and leave their children to enter the protection system, and then return to their places of origin.

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Escandell described this practice as “abandonment” and commented that, although at first it may have been an isolated case in Ibiza, it has become a “tonic” that is replicated in other islands (such as Menorca) and communities such as the Basque Country, where public warnings have already been issued.

Upward trend in male violence

Although the focus of the interview turned largely on migration, Escandell also addressed the reality of male violence on the island, lamenting that the trend of cases continues to rise, according to data from the Oficina de la Dona. He recalled that a single victim “is already too much”.

The councilor explained that, after the confinement by COVID-19, there was an “exponential increase” in cases, since the victims were in seclusion and could not seek help. Escandell suggested that the increase in cases may be due to Ibiza’s population growth or that “more cases are surfacing” due to greater social awareness. He called for collective awareness so that the victims’ environment (family, friends, co-workers) act and speak out.

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The Oficina de la Dona provides a “safe environment” and has qualified staff such as social workers, psychologists and legal assistance to develop individualized plans. She emphasized that the Office serves women without requiring a prior complaint.

Youth backlash and digital dangers

A point of great concern is the “regression” in the conception of equality observed in young people, where messages that were considered to have been overcome are reappearing, such as justifying the control of the partner under the idea that “if you are with me it means that you love me”.

Control through digital media is “tremendous”. Escandell warned about the risk of the digital world and the ease with which one can fall into prostitution and sexual exploitation circuits through platforms such as OnlyFans or Instagram. This includes cases of young people sending photos that are then used for blackmail, with threats of publishing the content and “destroying life on the networks”. On a personal level (not as a consellera), Escandell confessed, “I think we have become overconfident. We have let our guard down”.

• Six out of ten migrants who declared themselves to be minors in Ibiza and Formentera turned out to be adults.

Finally, the councilor mentioned the imminent implementation of the 24-hour Crisis Center for victims of sexual aggression, which has already been awarded to an experienced entity. She also highlighted the work to implement the Barnahus model (the minor’s house) with the aim of avoiding the constant re-victimization of minors who are victims of sexual aggression, hoping that the pilot project will be implemented before the end of the legislature.

Continue reading:

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• Menas de Formentera, in the spotlight: Vox outbursts against the transfer of minors to Inca and demands the closure of the reception center.

• The Government will transfer four menas to the Balearic Islands.

• Six out of ten migrants who declared themselves to be minors in Ibiza and Formentera turned out to be adults.

• The Balearic Islands will receive 1.2 million from the Government to reinforce care for minors

• The Government assures that more than half of the menas arriving in the Balearic Islands on patera were adults