Andorra's Non-Violent Relationships Program Runs Without Psychologist Amid Rising Demand

Andorra's programme for promoting non-violent relationships has operated without a psychologist since late 2024, leaving the social attention technician to handle the workload alone amid steady demand.

According to the Equality Policies Department's annual report, around 60 men participated in 2025, matching the previous year's figure. This marks a fourfold increase from 2018, when the initiative launched with just 15 cases. Over eight years, the programme has addressed at least 150 cases, accounting for repeat participants. Of the 2025 cases, 30% were new, 64% carried over from 2024, 2% from earlier years, and 4% required one-off interventions.

Participants were predominantly foreign nationals: 43% Spanish, 29% from other countries, 21% Portuguese, 5% French, and 2% Andorran. Ages skewed towards middle years, with 54% between 40 and 51, 32% aged 28-39, 9% aged 52-63, and 5% aged 16-27.

Violence types included psychological in 56 cases, physical in 39, environmental in 22, social in 20, economic in 8, and sexual in 7. Most aggressors—77%—had ended their relationships, while 23% had not. Marital status showed 49% single, 26% married, 16% divorced, and 9% separated. The vast majority were employed, with 7% on sick leave, 4% job-seeking, and 3% students. Among those with children, 80% had offspring aged 4-18, 13% over 18, and 7% under 4.

Referrals came mainly from the Batllia (65%), Social Affairs (26%), or self-referral (9%). By parish, Andorra la Vella led with 43%, followed by Encamp (24%) and Escaldes-Engordany (20%), with smaller shares from Canillo (5%), La Massana (4%), and Sant Julià de Lòria (4%).

The government-run programme offers treatment, control, and re-education for those convicted of gender or domestic violence, or who request it voluntarily, to prevent future incidents. Efforts continue to fill the psychologist vacancy, as the technician may shift to other departmental duties.

The report also highlights refugee service challenges, including housing shortages and integration barriers like language issues and limited resources. Since 2022, it has supported 136 family units and 332 individuals, with 63 units and 194 people leaving the programme. Exits included 71 gaining residency, 51 securing residency and work, 67 voluntary, two deaths, one denied stay, one self-employed, one digital nomad residency, and one Andorran citizenship by birth. Specific nationalities, such as Syrian or Ukrainian, were not detailed.