Andorra Approves Protocol to Combat Gender Violence in Elderly Care Services

Andorra's public and private elderly care services will implement a new protocol to prevent, detect, and respond to gender-based and domestic violence among older people.

The measure covers all centres and entities listed in the National Register of Social and Sociosanitary Services. This includes home care services, day centres, residential homes, and assisted living facilities, in both standard and respite regimes.

Developed by the State Secretariat for Equality and Citizen Participation alongside the Ministry of Social Affairs, the protocol aims to address the effects of violence while preventing its occurrence through long-term changes. Authorities plan actions to raise awareness among affected entities and support its rollout.

For prevention and detection, the guidelines organise efforts around three main areas: professional training and sensitisation, user empowerment, and early identification of risk factors.

On intervention, the document outlines steps for initial responses, tools to assess victim risk levels, procedures for suspected cases, communication standards for detected incidents, and protocols when the aggressor is a staff member at the same facility.

Special attention goes to women over 65, who face gender violence in both domestic settings and care environments. Challenges stem from age-related issues, health conditions, social circumstances, and institutional barriers, making targeted tools essential for effective detection, response, and protection of victims.

The government has approved the protocol, highlighting its role in improving early detection, coordination across social, health, and police services, and comprehensive victim follow-up to ensure cases receive continuous attention.