The scandal surrounding the allegations against the former deputy director of the Policía Nacional has taken a new turn after the claimant’s name became known to the public. For Spanish society, this event has sounded an alarm: questions about victim protection and transparency within law enforcement have once again come to the forefront. The consequences for the system could be significant, as it’s about more than just one case—it concerns public trust in institutions.
According to El Pais, the lawyer representing the woman who accused former police chief José Ángel González of sexual assault reported a sharp decline in his client’s health. After police internal chats circulated her name and details of the complaint, she received a flood of messages and calls. Some offered support, while others demanded explanations and voiced their resentment. The lawyer notes that this pressure has heightened the woman’s anxiety and negatively affected her well-being.
Response from the authorities
The Ministry of the Interior only learned of the complaint in the evening, after which the information quickly reached the media. Just half an hour after the story broke, González resigned. Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska stated he was not aware of the situation prior to the official notification. The government, including Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, expressed support for the ministry and stressed the importance of compassion for the victim.
The opposition, particularly the Partido Popular, demanded the minister’s resignation, but he replied that he would only step down if the victim felt unprotected. The woman’s lawyer, in turn, expressed disappointment that the suspect was not immediately dismissed, but only resigned voluntarily. According to him, this does not meet the expectations of victims of such crimes.
Case details
According to the complaint, the former deputy chief of police is accused of sexual assault, psychological pressure, threats, and abuse of power. The woman claims the incident took place in an official apartment provided by the Ministry of the Interior, and that afterwards she faced prolonged pressure aimed at making her withdraw the complaint. She says a former advisor to González was also involved, offering advantageous job transfer conditions in exchange for her silence.
Since July last year, the plaintiff has been on sick leave. Her lawyer emphasizes that the decision to go to court instead of the police was made out of fear of possible reprisals. He also noted that after her name was revealed in professional chats, the woman became the target of a real harassment campaign, which worsened her condition.
Support and new measures
In an interview on Spanish television, the lawyer stated that neither the minister nor his representatives had contacted his client. He believes that the head of the department should be held responsible for the mistakes. Meanwhile, acting Deputy Director of Police Gemma Barroso showed compassion and supported the woman, urging her to see the case through to the end.
The Ministry of the Interior announced that the applicant would be provided with protection to ensure her safety. This decision was made after the lawyer requested that all possible measures be taken to safeguard the affected employee. According to El Pais, the woman agreed to the proposed protection.
In recent years, Spain has seen several high-profile cases involving allegations of sexual offenses among government officials and law enforcement personnel. Each incident sparks public outcry and ignites discussions about the need for reforms to better protect victims. Notably, recent trials against senior officials have been accompanied by mass protests and legislative changes. Such events prompt society to reconsider standards of conduct and accountability within state institutions.
