Overview

• From October 3, Spain’s gender‑violence courts now investigate sexual assaults and related crimes outside the couple context, including female genital mutilation, forced marriage and sexual harassment with a sexual connotation when the victim is a woman.
• The Government created 50 new judge posts and 42 prosecutor posts and, with the CGPJ, approved temporary reinforcements in 23 courts that are slated to bridge operations through December 31.
• Judicial workload is projected to rise by 12.9% on average per CGPJ estimates, while specialist magistrates warn increases could reach 20% and risk overloading; in Vigo, the court expects roughly a 10% uptick and a second judge is planned by year‑end.
• Justice minister Félix Bolaños highlighted compliance with the Istanbul Convention, announcing new specialized sections in Valladolid and León and interim reinforcements in Palencia and León as the new law takes effect.
• Parallel prosecutions show tougher responses across the region, with Peru issuing multiple life sentences for sexual abuse of minors and a 20‑year term in Huánuco, Argentina detaining three teachers in Jujuy with Cámara Gesell proceedings, and Spanish cases using closed hearings and long restraining orders.