United against abuse: Spanish survivors of domestic violence break the silence

Spain has what is widely considered to be one of the European Union’s most advanced set of laws on gender-based violence, however, last year another 50 women were murdered by their partners. While that is below the European Union´s average, the figures in Spain have been consistent in the last few years.  

But how does the law work in Spain, and what can be improved? In search of the answers, Euronews reporter Julián López travelled to the south of the country to meet experts in domestic abuse law and, most importantly, the women survivors of conjugal violence.

Macarena García Pérez was a victim of domestic violence for 23 years, at the hands of her husband, who beat her up for the first time on the eve of their wedding. 

Describing the violence she endured, she said: "Physical, psychological, economic, sexual, social abuse - everything. I think psychological abuse is the worst... Firstly, because you can't prove it, secondly, because it takes a lot of work to overcome all these traumas."

Today, Macarena's husband is in prison, and she works in a hotel. 

Now she is free from his abuse, she aspires to open a shelter for dogs, giving them the love and care she was denied. She told Euronews spending time with animals is therapeutic: "I believe that if they helped me, they can help other women too".

"Forty percent of women do not realize they are victims of abuse. We provide training to company staff so that they can act as agents of change against gender-based violence, identify invisible victims and help them break the silence. We are not the problem. We are part of the solution,' says Ana Bella Estévez, another victim of domestic violence.

After fleeing her partner with her children following 11 years of abuse, she set up a