Chief Minister gets tough on domestic violence

The death of 25-year-old Ana Torres, set alight by her boyfriend this week has sent shockwaves through the local community and the local government. Yesterday, Balearic Chief Minister Francesc Antich slammed domestic violence as “an insult to human rights” and demanded that central government get to work immediately on introducing the necessary legislation in order to eradicate “the embarrassing social scar.” In an official statement Antich said that this latest act of domestic violence, which left Ana Torres with second and third degree burns to 95 percent of her body, “is an attack on our democratic right to live together.” The Chief Minister sent his condolences to the young woman's family and his solidarity for the large number of women who have been and are victims of domestic violence. But, knowing that the relations between Palma and Madrid are strained at the best of times, Antich vowed yesterday that the Balearic government will be stepping up its efforts in the fight against domestic violence. Antich also announced that this year a new chain of “safe houses” is to be opened for battered women.