Canary Islands Renovates Judicial Facilities to Protect Gender-Based Violence Victims

The Canary Islands government has completed a major renovation of judicial facilities in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, marking a significant step forward in how the region protects victims of gender-based violence. The project addresses long-standing operational issues caused by centralizing the courts of La Laguna, Güímar, and Santa Cruz at the Tres de Mayo Palace of Justice.

Led by Minister Nieves Lady Barreto, the initiative aims to ensure the physical and emotional safety of victims throughout the legal process. Experts and advocacy groups have long argued that traditional courthouse layouts often led to "revictimization" by forcing victims to cross paths with their alleged abusers. To prevent this, the government has moved one court to the El Cabo building and restructured the existing space, adding 250 square meters to the area dedicated to these cases.

The renovation focuses on separating the movement of victims from other court users. Key improvements include a new, independent entrance with double doors and private internal hallways that lead directly from support rooms to the courtroom. Additionally, new soundproofing has been installed to ensure that sensitive legal proceedings remain private.

Beyond simply separating spaces, the project aims to create a more supportive environment. This includes dedicated support rooms and a child-friendly area designed to reduce stress for minors involved in these cases. The renovation also features a new multipurpose room for legal advice, reorganized offices, and upgraded lighting, all while repurposing existing furniture to make efficient use of public funds.

With these changes, the Canary Islands government is working to fix infrastructure gaps that previously hindered the safe and dignified treatment of victims in one of the justice system's most sensitive areas.