Madrid’s new court for violence against minors faces a backlog of 3,751 cases. Staff shortages and lack of resources strain daily operations. The situation exposes gaps in Spain’s judicial support for vulnerable children.
The newly established Madrid court dedicated to violence against children and adolescents is already facing a critical overload. Since its launch on January 1, the court has received 3,751 cases, far outpacing the capacity of its small team. Magistrate Raquel Rodríguez, who took charge in February, works with just four prosecutors and around ten staff, yet the volume of incoming files continues to rise. The court’s limited resources have forced Rodríguez to take home stacks of paperwork daily, highlighting the strain on Spain’s judicial system when it comes to protecting minors.
Unlike other specialized courts, such as those for gender violence, this new section was created under the recent Law of Procedural Efficiency to address crimes against minors. Similar courts now operate in Barcelona, Málaga, and Madrid, with Las Palmas serving as the model since its earlier launch. However, Madrid’s court began operations without basic infrastructure—Rodríguez arrived to an empty office, lacking even a computer, and the team had to manage a backlog from day one.
According to EL PAÍS, the court’s workload dwarfs that of other specialized sections: gender violence courts have processed just over 1,300 cases, and instruction courts around 2,100. Of the more than 3,700 cases received, over 2,000 have been processed by the childhood team, with some dismissed quickly and others referred to social services. Despite these efforts, the inflow remains relentless, and hearings are now being scheduled as far ahead as January next year.
Rodríguez notes that while schools, neighbors, and families are quick to report suspected abuse, the judicial system is ill-equipped to handle the volume. The court lacks its own forensic doctor and a dedicated legal administrator—roles considered standard in other courts. Until recently, it could not even hold expedited hearings. Staff say the shortage of personnel and resources is unsustainable, with many working well beyond official hours to keep up.
Daily operations are intense. Rodríguez typically arrives before 8:30 a.m. and leaves after 4 p.m., often carrying unresolved files home. The court’s schedule includes sensitive interviews with minors, which must be conducted in special rooms with psychologists present, as required by law. On a typical day, Rodríguez may oversee rapid trials, urgent protection requests, and multiple witness statements, all while managing a growing backlog.
Support staff, including psychologists and social workers, emphasize the complexity of each case. Reports often require input from schools, therapists, and families, with a single interview with a parent sometimes lasting three hours. Many decisions go beyond determining guilt or innocence, involving the placement of children into protective systems and ongoing monitoring by municipal police.
Despite the high stakes, the court’s physical and human resources remain inadequate. The regional government recently approved the addition of 20 staff members, expected to start in September, and the Ministry of Justice has authorized a second judge for the court. However, requests for temporary reinforcements during August were denied, fueling tensions between regional and national authorities over planning and responsibility.
The pressure on Madrid’s juvenile violence court reflects broader challenges in Spain’s approach to child protection. The lack of infrastructure and staff not only delays justice but also risks the well-being of vulnerable minors. The situation is reminiscent of debates in other sectors, such as the recent discussion on postpartum recovery in elite sports, highlighted when Ana Peleteiro returned to training just days after childbirth, raising questions about institutional support and resource allocation.
Spain’s specialized courts for minors are still in their infancy, and the Madrid experience underscores the urgent need for investment and coordination. As the number of reported cases grows, the effectiveness of these courts will depend on whether authorities can provide the necessary tools and personnel to ensure timely, fair, and sensitive handling of cases involving children and adolescents.
For context, Spain’s judicial system has undergone several reforms in recent years to address specific types of violence and vulnerable groups. The creation of specialized courts for gender violence two decades ago set a precedent, but the rapid escalation of cases in the juvenile sector now tests the limits of these reforms. The ongoing administrative disputes between regional and national governments further complicate the response, leaving frontline staff to manage the consequences. The Madrid court’s experience may serve as a warning for other regions as Spain continues to adapt its legal framework to the realities of child protection.
