Andorra Rolls Out Safety Buttons for Gender Violence Victims

Andorra's Gender Violence Victims Service (SAVVG) has distributed 13 safety buttons to women experiencing gender-based violence, rolling them out gradually to train recipients and test functionality. The devices, supplied through an agreement with Grup Menta, the Ministry of Justice and Interior, and the Equality department, connect directly to police systems.

Each button is a portable electronic device linked to a user's mobile app. Pressing it triggers an immediate alert to the police command centre, including the victim's geolocation and real-time audio recording—even without removing the phone from a pocket. Officers then dispatch the nearest patrol and follow established protocols. Incidents are logged post-response, with follow-up by police and SAVVG staff. Users receive anonymous codes to protect their privacy.

Eligibility targets women under SAVVG monitoring with medium or high risk levels. Participants must consent to terms, though living with an aggressor does not disqualify them. Recent departmental reports detail preparations from late 2024 through 2025, including selection criteria, data grids, and police communication protocols.

The State Secretariat for Equality and Citizen Participation notes it's too early for a full evaluation, as usage data remains limited. Regular meetings between Equality technicians and police will ensure ongoing reliability. Officials highlight the buttons as a direct protection tool, cutting police response times for constant security.

Separately, the government has opened a call for 70,000 euros in 2026 budget grants to businesses and non-profits promoting gender equality and preventing gender violence in Andorra. Now in its seventh year, the programme funds projects enhancing opportunities between women and men. Entities registered in Andorra can download bases from www.etramits.ad and submit via the government's electronic portal by 10 April. Further details are available from the Secretariat.