Baix Empordà Men's Service Sees Increase in Young People Seeking Violence Prevention

The service, a pioneer in preventing gender-based violence through equality, notes a rise in young participants, though the majority profile remains middle-aged men.

Generic image of two hands shaking over a desk, symbolizing support.
IA

Generic image of two hands shaking over a desk, symbolizing support.

The Baix Empordà County Council's Men's Service, a pioneering initiative in violence prevention based on equality, is observing an increase in young users seeking assistance.

Despite this trend, the predominant profile continues to be men between 36 and 50 years old. These individuals are often at life stages marked by raising children, separation processes, or the need to redefine their romantic relationships. These men express a desire to change their situation and are willing to work on it.

"These are men who say 'I can't continue living like this' and decide to open up and work on it."

a social educator from the Service
The service was launched in early 2024 with the aim of assisting and raising awareness among men regarding gender-based violence, while also promoting a more egalitarian and co-responsible society. Currently, it combines two lines of work: a therapeutic one, focused on deep personal processes such as trauma or behavioral patterns, and a socio-educational one, which offers tools to improve relationships and daily well-being.
The cases attended are varied, including relationship conflicts, separations, difficulties in parenting, or chronic discomforts that, in some instances, have been addressed through substance use. Situations linked to different degrees of gender-based violence, from verbal to physical, are also addressed. The goal is to help men establish healthier relationships.
One of the main challenges for the service is breaking the stigma associated with seeking help. According to the service coordinator, men often do not feel compelled to seek support, unlike women, where this aspect is more normalized. The balance of the first two years of operation is very positive, with a higher-than-expected influx of cases, especially concerning parenting issues.

"Men often do not feel compelled to ask for support. They need to understand that they might need it and that they shouldn't be ashamed."

the service coordinator · psychologist
The creation of the service responds to a collective reflection on gender-based violence data, which showed that the numbers of women victims receiving assistance were not decreasing. Professionals from various fields agreed on the need to also intervene with men to address their needs and help them improve their quality of life.