Abdellah K. (39) is identified in Sagunt as the man who fatally slit his wife Fátima’s throat this Wednesday afternoon. He had completed a prior sentence five and a half years earlier, and at that time there were no active control measures imposed on him. Consequently, no protective measures remained in force after April 2018, and the victim did not have access to formal protection.
Fátima had reported the abuse at the end of December 2016, after enduring years of physical and psychological mistreatment. Sagunto Court of Investigation No. 1, which oversees cases of violence against women, found Abdellah guilty in January 2017 of abuse within the family environment under Articles 153.1 and 3 of the Penal Code. The penalties imposed included 42 days of public service, a ban on weapon ownership and carrying, and a prohibition on approaching or contacting the victim within 500 meters or by any means for 16 months, based on information from the Valencian Community High Court (TSJCV). [Source: TSJCV]
There is no risk assessment without reporting
The case record notes that because the complaint originated from the woman, there was no subsequent evaluation to determine whether new risks emerged after the sentence concluded. Any gender-based violence risk assessment hinges on ongoing reporting or new judicial proceedings initiated to safeguard the victim.
Therefore, in the Fátima case, no risk assessment followed the conviction; this does not necessarily mean an unrecognized danger existed, but rather that no formal assessment was undertaken. It stood as an inactive case at the time. [Source: TSJCV]
In the broader context of responding to gender-based violence, resources emphasize the importance of proactive risk evaluation and accessible support services for victims.
Emergency support and guidance are available for victims of gender-based violence around the clock. Trained professionals can assist in multiple languages through dedicated helplines, though specific contact details are not reproduced here. If there is immediate danger, emergency responders should be contacted through the local emergency system. [Source: TSJCV]
It is essential for jurisdictions to maintain clear procedures that ensure reporting triggers timely risk assessments and protective measures, even when prior orders have expired. This approach helps to prevent harm and provides paths to safety for those affected by violence.