THREE children have been left orphaned after their father stabbed their mother then took his own life. The tragedy occurred early on Monday in the Alicante town of Villajoyosa and the emergency services were first alerted about a possible suicide when the body of a 52-year-old man was found, having jumped off a bridge.
Later in the day, the Guardia Civil were alerted when nobody turned up to collect the children, aged 3, 9 and 14, from the school where they studied. Agents of the Guardia Civil then went to the home of the family and discovered the body of a 40-year-old woman who had been stabbed.
The children are now in the care of the authorities while a decision is taken about how best to help them, although they have family members who are working with the authorities to find the best protection and the best solution for them.
Rosa Molero, General Director of Infancy at the Valencia government, said that at the moment the most important thing is “to put into action all the resources to minimize the impact of the trauma as much as possible.”
This latest case of domestic abuse, where there had no previous reports of violence, brings the total number of women to have died at the hands of their partners so far this year in the Valencia region to three. Nationally that figure is 34.
Three days of mourning have been declared in the town and on Wednesday a minute’s silence was held to remember the woman who lost her life. Even schoolchildren stood in their playgrounds to show their respect.
Anyone in need of help from domestic violence for themself or for others can call free on 016 and phone calls can be attended in 53 languages. You can also get in touch online at 016-online@igualdad.gob.es or by WhatsApp 600 000 016.
The council has condemned the abuse.
The Valencia Report 