A family has condemned Mossos d’Esquadra after a sexual assault case within a group surfaced a child under 11 years old. On the TV3 program Planta Baixa, the Minors Center Unit, presented and supported by journalist Anna Punsi, is examining an alleged attack by six youths, of which five have been identified.
According to Punsi, three of the five identified were under 14, a factor that complicates the application of certain legal remedies and raises questions about how justice can be enforced for younger defendants. The other two suspects are aged over 14 but under 18; one was arrested last February, and the other is facing different levels of custody. One remains on probation, while the other is in a stricter regime at the Ministry of Justice, where the most serious charges tend to be pursued.
In the program, an older sister described how the family learned of the incident about a month later, around mid-December. They discovered it when a third brother, who attends the same school as the young victim, visited home and mentioned that information had been shared at the center. A video showing the girl aired during the broadcast, and she later recounted details about what happened. She said she had gone alone to the Magic Mall in Badalona on a Saturday afternoon, likely November 19, and told her mother she intended to take a solo walk with friends in the area.
While at the Magic Mall, she reportedly encountered a knife-wielding group of six youths who escorted her to the center’s restroom, where she suffered sexual harassment. The victim’s sister recalled that after the incident, the attackers left the scene and left the area as if nothing had happened. There were efforts to report the incident to a security guard, but the guard reportedly did not believe the young girl’s account at first, a detail that family members say complicated the immediate response.
Complaint
Only after these events did the family begin to understand the seriousness of what happened and file a report with a Mossos outpost. The girl, who had become more withdrawn and less cheerful, is described by relatives as someone who had previously shown a bright and social disposition. The sister emphasized a longing for accountability and justice, remarking that those responsible should face consequences for their violent actions, and reflecting on the impact these acts have on a young person’s future. The family described a community context that they felt contributed to the incident and added that they hoped the investigation would reveal the full scope of what occurred.
Punsi, who is connected with the group near the Magic Mall, did not identify a watchman who might have raised an alarm. It was noted that the Child and Adolescent Welfare Agency (DGAIA) informed three families involved about their children’s involvement, a move that sparked discussions about child protection and timely intervention in such cases.
The investigation remains open because one child’s identity has not yet been confirmed. The young person received medical attention at Can Ruti Hospital, where doctors and psychologists evaluated the case. Early medical tests indicated that a communicable disease could not be confirmed through the measurements performed following the alleged sexual assault. A scheduled meeting with the affected family is planned for Thursday at the school to discuss the ongoing process and next steps.