A gender-based violence judge requests transfer amid complaints from victims and support from colleagues.

BarcelonaJudge Francisca Verdejo, presiding judge of the Second Court for Violence against Women in Barcelona, ​​has applied for a position at the Granada Court of Appeals. Judicial position competitions like this one prioritize the candidate with the most experience, and in fact, this is not the first time Verdejo has tried to move to Granada, where she is from and where she has family. Judges' job changes don't usually make the news, but in this case, it coincides with the fact that in recent months Verdejo has received harsh criticism for the treatment of victims in her court. These complaints, in turn, have found unanimous support and response from judges and prosecutors specializing in gender-based violence in the city.

In recent months, there have been repeated demonstrations accusing the judge of "institutional abuse" in her court. Betevé announced the first anonymous witnesses from victims of domestic violence who accused the judge of humiliating and belittling the complainants and "systematically" denying them the protection orders they requested. ARA has also been able to contact more than a dozen women—all of whom wished to remain anonymous—who report the lack of tact when taking their statements; in some cases, they were heckled or interrupted while speaking. This newspaper has also been able to view recordings of various statements in which the judge raises her voice or interrupts the witness.

Criticism of the judge has also been expressed on social media. Furthermore, over the past month, the High Court of Justice of Catalonia (TSJC) received two formal complaints against the judge and referred them to the General Council of the Judiciary (CGPJ). These complaints refer to "very old events" and state that they are the only ones she has received during her 25-year career.

"It could be detrimental to the victims."

After months of criticism and anonymous complaints against the judge, her colleagues have spoken out in her favor. The Barcelona Board of Judges for Gender Violence issued a statement on May 15 in response to what they call "a campaign" on social media and in the media "aimed at discrediting" the work of these courts. Barcelona prosecutors specializing in gender-based violence and the governing chamber of the High Court of Justice (TSJC) have also signed this statement. "This campaign goes beyond legitimate criticism of court rulings," they rebuke, and point out that a judge's decision can always be appealed to the Barcelona Court of Appeals.

They also warn that "the campaign not only discredits the judicial function" to which they are dedicated, but that "it may be harmful to victims of gender-based violence, given that women victims, faced with certain statements, may hesitate to approach the justice system and request measures." Furthermore, they add, the Prosecutor's Office and the lawyers representing the victims always intervene in the proceedings, and are able to ask the judge to take any measures or decisions they deem appropriate.