A Badajoz city councillor from PSOE has reported a violent threat received on social media. The incident has sparked calls for stronger action against abuse targeting women in politics. Local organisations and the party have voiced support.
The PSOE in Badajoz has publicly denounced a violent threat made against city councillor Concha Baños, after she received an explicit message on social media wishing her to be sexually assaulted. The incident, which followed Baños' public comments on homophobia and racism, has reignited debate over the persistent abuse faced by women in Spanish politics.
Baños reported the threat to the courts, highlighting that the message was posted openly and not from an anonymous account. She described the attack as one of the most degrading forms of intimidation a woman can experience, noting that the perpetrator used his real identity, which made it easier to file a formal complaint. According to Baños, such threats are not isolated, but part of a broader pattern of hostility directed at women who participate in public life.
In an interview with Cadena SER, Baños explained her decision to seek legal action was motivated not only by her own experience but also by a sense of responsibility towards other women facing similar abuse. She stressed that neither hate nor threats should silence women or drive them out of public spaces. The councillor pointed out that these forms of verbal violence and intimidation have become a routine reality for many women in politics, often delivered from behind anonymous or fake profiles.
Baños, who works as an equality agent, said her professional and personal commitment to defending women's rights compelled her to act. She emphasised that the normalisation of such abuse undermines the dignity and freedom of those targeted, and that society should not accept intimidation or humiliation as part of political life.
The local PSOE group and the party's Badajoz branch have expressed strong support for Baños, condemning the threats and insults she received. Both organisations underlined that no one should face intimidation for participating in public life or expressing their views. The party also called on all political forces and society at large to unequivocally reject threats against public representatives, regardless of political affiliation, and expressed confidence in the justice system and law enforcement to clarify the facts and assign responsibility.
Support for Baños has also come from outside the political sphere. The feminist association LIS praised her decision to report the incident, describing it as an act of courage and stressing the importance of such complaints in combating digital violence and preventing these behaviours from becoming commonplace.
Spain has seen a growing focus on the issue of online abuse targeting women in public roles, with several high-profile cases prompting calls for legislative and institutional responses. According to data from the Ministry of Equality, reports of gender-based threats and harassment online have increased in recent years, particularly against women in politics and media. The Spanish legal framework allows for prosecution of hate speech and threats, but enforcement and victim protection remain ongoing challenges. The case in Badajoz highlights the need for continued vigilance and coordinated action to ensure that women can participate in public life without fear of violence or intimidation.
