Santa Cruz Strengthens Carnival Sexual Violence Plan
Santa Cruz de Tenerife City Council is enhancing its efforts against sexual assault and gender-based violence during Carnival by training local police to update their special response plan for victims.
The Santa Cruz de Tenerife City Council is once again stepping up efforts to prevent and respond to sexual assaults and gender-based violence during Carnival. They are doing this by training local police to update their special plan (called Amvas) for helping women who are victims of sexual assault.
Mayor José Manuel Bermúdez said that "the safety and protection of everyone, especially women, is a top priority, even more so during a huge event like Carnival." He added that "ongoing training for our officers is essential to ensure a quick, coordinated, and effective response to any violent situation, and to make sure the celebration is a respectful, harmonious, and enjoyable experience for all."
Citizen Security Councilor Gladis de León explained that the goal is to update and strengthen the Amvas plan. This will give local police special tools to respond with sensitivity, professionalism, and good coordination to potential sexual assaults or gender-based violence. She added that "it's not just about reacting when something happens, but also about prevention, spotting issues early, and providing proper care for victims, making sure their protection and rights are guaranteed."
The plan aims to eliminate sexual violence and outlines what different organizations involved need to do.