"I think I have been wholeheartedly helping people who needed it. You have to give yourself body and soul to eradicate this social scourge. In the almost 41 years that I have been a national police officer, I have never had as much satisfaction as working to combat gender violence." This is how agent Manuel Peñatos Manzano, coordinator of the Assistance and Protection Unit for Women of the National Police in Arrecife, received recognition from the insular Delegation, which has awarded his "attitudes and aptitudes in the care of women." In Arrecife alone, 160 women have a protection order.
Peñatos Manzano, who has been working in this unit for eight years, received the recognition from the insular director, Loly Luzardo, who assured that gender violence is "a stigma for society." The act took place at the insular Directorate, and was attended by members of the State Security Forces and Corps, as well as public officials from the island.
It was precisely under the direction of the honored agent, when the first police unit for the prevention of women victims of gender violence was created in Lanzarote. "We have achieved many things. First, awareness on the part of my own colleagues about these people who suffer abuse. That victimization that occurred, today thank God is disappearing," he said.
Peñatos Manzano believes that they are working "on the right track" to eradicate gender violence. "The number of reports of abuse is decreasing considerably and not because it is not reported, but because with the efforts of the institutions we give women the opportunity not to be afraid to report. With everyone's help we can combat this social scourge," he said.
160 women with protection order
Despite this fight, today in Arrecife there are 160 women with a protection order from their partners. "We are four colleagues in the Unit, so it is an arduous job with a lot of affection, understanding and empathy towards these women, to whom we have to give help, protection and advice," he indicated. Peñatos Manzano would like to have a greater number of officials for this Unit, but he is aware "of the lack of human and technical resources that must be faced."
Despite this, he assured that he believes that he has "sufficient resources". "There is no doubt that when there is a person with a clear intention of taking their partner's life, it is difficult to prevent it. But it serves as a brake for the abuser to know that behind these women there are a series of institutions and officials who are there to help them. If he commits any type of crime, we are going to arrest him and make him available to the judicial authorities. It has to serve as a brake for many," the agent defended.
The national police officer also pointed out that among these 160 women, there is a "40 percent who are Latin American." In these cases, it is more difficult for them to break the bond with their partners. "Many times they tell us that they no longer live with them and we know that they have returned to resume living together. But we can act ex officio and we do so and bring it to the attention of the judicial authority," he said.
Manuel Peñatos Manzano wanted to share his award with "Benito, an exemplary police officer and unit colleague", and with "Diana, who since being in charge of the unit has made collaboration with the different security forces possible." In addition, he has dedicated this recognition to his wife and his two children, one of whom is also a national police officer.
