The incident in San Vicente has brought attention to homophobic harassment affecting a minor at a friend’s urbanization, reported in recent weeks. Four boys are implicated in the case, with involvement from authorities including the Civil Guard and the Alicante Juvenile Prosecutor’s Office as the investigation unfolds.
While additional youths are connected to the events, the four participants in the assault are all under 14. This fact complicates legal action, since in Spain individuals younger than 14 are generally managed through social welfare procedures rather than criminal prosecution, and they cannot be prosecuted as adults. As a consequence, there is currently no protective restraining order in place for the victim, a fifteen-year-old girl who suffered a broken nose and other facial injuries after enduring homophobic insults.
For youngsters under 14, the response is primarily social in nature. Therefore, the Prosecutor’s Office will forward the case to the regional directorate of social welfare. That body oversees follow-up and intervention plans in situations involving these four boys and their families, aligning with practices used in other sensitive cases such as sexual offenses and gender-based violence. Intervention programs are designed to address aggression and to support affected youths and their families, with the aim of preventing recurrences and promoting safety in the community.
Before the incident was formally reported to the Civil Guard, the victim’s online profile suggested she was a 15-year-old girl. On social media, she indicated that she and her friends had been targeted by a group of boys who began directing gendered insults toward her, including terms like “she,” “faggot,” “transgender,” and “transformer.” The victim recalls enduring persistent harassment during much of her secondary schooling, though she initially chose not to react aggressively, hoping the bullying would eventually stop. This initial restraint shifted as pressures mounted and the environment grew more hostile.
The harassment intensified as the situation moved into a more public setting in the city center, within a private enclosure that offered little privacy from outsiders. From a distance, others watched as the group positioned themselves to deter intervention. According to the victim, one of the youths even leapt over a fence and opened the gate for the others. From that moment, the insults escalated beyond verbal abuse to threats and demeaning remarks aimed at the victim and other girls present.
The violence escalated when, after the victim did not respond, one boy struck her with repeated blows to the face and mouth, and five others joined in. The assault resulted in a broken nose and other injuries that required medical care. The mother of the victim expressed that she had learned of years of insults directed at her daughter and had previously reported the issue within the school setting. Authorities and school officials responded with support for the victim, reinforcing anti-bullying and safety measures in both school and institute environments.
The mother described the situation as deeply troubling, stressing that the victim deserved protection and safety in school and throughout daily life. The broader community response has highlighted the need for vigilant safeguarding practices and coordinated support for youths facing persistent harassment and aggression. Efforts continue to ensure that the victim receives appropriate medical care, psychological support, and stability as the family navigates the aftermath of this traumatic experience. Educators and welfare services underscore zero tolerance for bullying and violence, while ensuring that all involved youths receive the necessary guidance and supervision to prevent recurrence.