A team to fight against hate crimes in Dénia: this is the EROS unit
Coinciding with the Day Against LGTBIphobia, Dénia City Council presented a new Local Police unit created to fight hate crimes. The objective is to establish a zero tolerance policy, as Councilor Javier Scotto pointed out, against any violence for reasons of gender, sexual orientation, beliefs or race.
Hate crimes not only attack the victims, but they do so indirectly against the entire group they represent and which makes up the only motivation of the aggressor. Only 10% of this type of violence is reported. Fear of repercussions, humiliation or not wanting to come out of the closet stop many complaints. But also the uncertainty, not knowing what is a crime and what is not, not knowing who to turn to and the lack of trust in the authorities that attend to them are the biggest barrier they face. For this reason, the City Council has seen fit to create a team on purpose to deal with these situations.
This is the special EROS unit against sexual discrimination and hate crimes, which will have its own headquarters under the Social Services building, in Arxiduc Carles (open from Monday to Friday from 09:00 to 13:00). It will be in charge of Juan José Bordes, who will in turn do the work of social auditor. An officer specializing in care for victims of this type of violence and another support agent will work alongside him. However, as pointed out by the chief intendant, Andrés Tabernero, all Dénia Local Police officers have received specialized training in the field and can attend to victims to then refer them to the unit.
In addition to the operational functions of accompaniment of the victims, identification and arrest of the aggressors, these agents will also be in charge of educating through workshops and training, always seeking to raise the awareness of the residents.