The Congress of Deputies has approved the Organic Law for Comprehensive Protection of Children and Adolescents against Violence. Except for the reactionary and denialist forces, no one else questioned the need for the approval of a comprehensive law on violence against children, similar to the one approved against gender violence. This law responds to this need and includes measures in many areas, such as prevention, action at the educational level, family support, social services, health, regulation of advertising, social networks, or justice.
The serious repercussions of violence and mistreatment suffered by children and adolescents are widely known. Among many other consequences, these acts can cause injuries that can lead to disability; physical health problems, such as delayed physical development and the subsequent appearance of diseases; learning difficulties including performance problems at school and at work; psychological and emotional consequences such as affective disorders, trauma, anxiety, insecurity, and destruction of self-esteem; mental health problems such as anxiety and depressive disorders or suicide attempts, and behaviors harmful to health such as substance abuse or early initiation into sexual activity.
Therefore, the Organic Law for Comprehensive Protection of Children and Adolescents against Violence is a legislative milestone in the defense of the rights of children that fills with pride those of us who, like me, have contributed to making it a reality in my capacity as a national deputy of the PSOE. Spanish society could not continue to look the other way regarding the situation experienced by children, as the data is chilling. Only 15% of cases of violence in childhood are known, and more than 40% of our adolescents say they have suffered situations of sexual harassment.
The protection of minors is a priority obligation recognized in the Spanish Constitution. The Council of Europe also has standards to guarantee the protection of the rights of minors, such as, among others, the Convention for the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Abuse, known as the Lanzarote Convention because it was signed on my native island on October 25, 2007. From now on, I am convinced that this law will allow minors to live without fear, and for that reason alone it will change the lives of thousands and thousands of children and adolescents in our country. The truth is that on days like this, dedication to politics is filled with meaning.
Ariagona González, national deputy of the PSOE and Minister of Industry and Energy of the Cabildo de Lanzarote.
Ariagona González
