Offices to help crime victims kept busy

The four offices to help crime victims, known as AVDs) had dealth with 1'866 cases up to September and had opened 481 films, 74 per cent in Palma, according to figures provided yesterday by government spokesman Antoni Garcías. The profile of the people responsible for the cases handled by the offices was male in 93 per cent of the cases and of Spanish nationality in 85 per cent of the cases. He was also the husband or boyfriend in 62 per cent of cases or an ex-husband in 25 per cent and alcohol abuse was a significant factor in 43 per cent of the cases. The average age of the offender was between 31 and 50 and most worked in the service sector. More than three quarters were illiterate although there were also university graduates among the offenders. Garcias said that the government was making a great effort to help crime victims from both a juridical and psychological view point. The cases include threats, robbery, mugging and domestic violence and the offices provide legal advice as well as sociological and psychological support. The office is used mainly by women aged between 19 and 40, who seek advice over domestic violence and sexual harassment, Garcias said yesterday.