The Consell de Formentera has held a coordination meeting to set the protocol for assisting victims of forced injections of date rape drugs or other substances. The meeting was attended by Rafael Ramírez, councillor of social welfare; Josep Marí, councillor of interior, and representatives of Formentera Local Police, Civil Guard and Formentera Hospital.

"Drugging women, whether by needle spiking or other gender-based violence, is absolutely unacceptable", said Councillor Ramírez, who asserted that "any such attacks are crimes which will be prosecuted". He stressed that "needle spiking is a way to dissuade women from going out and enjoying festivities and nightlife". Ramírez insisted, "Women should be able to participate in festivities without fear and the Consell de Formentera, in collaboration with other security forces and the hospital, will work to make sure this is the case".

Councillor Marí stressed that "it is important that female victims of needle spiking know that the public administrations will give them full support and attention". Formentera Local Police, Civil Guard, emergency 112 service and Formentera Office of Social Welfare staff, who will man the "No Means No!" (No i punt!) tent, will follow an emergency protocol to support victims. "All these administrations will coordinate to provide the best care to victims at this delicate time", said Rafael Ramírez.

Meeting participants were also briefed on recommendations for possible victims of spiking by injection and witnesses able to assist victims. These recommendations were agreed between the Balearic Government and island councils.

-If at a private business establishment, notify staff. If at a public celebration, visit the local "No i punt!" stand.
-Call 112, Formentera Local Police and/or Civil Guard.
-Follow instructions from Formentera Local Police, Civil Guard or "No i punt!" staff.
-Stay with your group of friends if you are not feeling well.
-If you find a victim, listen to them and offer to call a friend for support. Do not leave them alone.
-Visit the Formentera Hospital emergency room, where tests can be performed.
-If in need of psychological care, call 112 for the on-call psychologist.
-File a complaint with Civil Guard.

IBDONA's 24-hour service is also available at 971 178 989 and the Women's Information and Assistance Service (9.00am to 2.00pm, Monday to Friday) at 971 321 271.

This protocol has been sent to Espai Dones and the local small and medium-sized business association (PIMEF).

12 August 2022
Communications Office
Consell de Formentera

The Formentera Office of Social Welfare is pleased to report that local seniors and people with disabilities can submit applications for assistance from today. Aid this year totals €18,000.

Among the various requirements, applicants must be Formentera residents and either at least sixty-five years old or have a recognised disability (33% or more). The money can be used to buy wheelchairs, glasses/contact lenses, dental prostheses, hearing aids, hospital beds or material for professional social and health care treatments such as physiotherapy, psychomotor therapy, speech therapy, etc.

Individual beneficiaries can receive up to a combined total of €2,900. A technical committee will oversee the reviewing of applications. Applicants must present an itemised list of expenses with original invoices and these must correspond to the period from 1 June 2021 to 31 May 2022.

Terms of the assistance can be found in the Official Gazette of the Balearic Islands (BOIB) and on the Consell de Formentera website. Islanders have until 22 August 2022 to drop off applications at the Formentera Office of Social Welfare, located at the Formentera Day Centre (Centre de Dia), or the Citizen's Information Office (OAC).

21 July 2022
Communications Office
Consell de Formentera

Today Ana Juan, president of the Consell de Formentera, and Sara Miguel, vice president of the NGO Formenterers Solidaris, signed a €10,000 collaboration agreement to distribute food to vulnerable islanders and implement cooperation projects for developing countries in 2022. Rafael Ramírez, councillor for social welfare, was also present at the signing.

21 July 2022
Communications Office
Consell de Formentera

The Consell de Formentera will set up a table to discourage gender-based violence and alcohol consumption during festive events on the island this summer. The campaign starts Saturday 16 July at Festes del Carme and continues 22, 24 and 25 July for the feast day of Sant Jaume and 4 and 5 August for the feast day of Santa Maria.

This year, the Formentera Office of Social Welfare has joined 'No Means No!' (No i Punt!), an initiative of the Consell de Mallorca and Palma City Council to take aim at sexist aggression. Meanwhile, a separate push by the Consell de Formentera to stem the consumption and sale of alcohol to underage islanders remains under way.

Ana Juan, president of the Consell and councillor of equality, encouraged local youth "to enjoy the festivities after two years of pandemic that were very challenging for young people too". However, she asserted that "the festive atmosphere can never, under any circumstances, be an excuse for sexist aggressions. That must be clear". For this reason, in the words of Rafael Ramírez, councillor of social welfare, "Formentera is raising awareness among everyone, not just youth, around the importance of prevention". "We must sensitise the public to such situations by identifying what sexist violence is and offering tools to prevent and detect it." At the information table there will will be guidelines on what to do in cases of gender-based violence.

During the nights of concerts a staff member from the Consell and a trained monitor will be on hand to explain the two campaigns. Visitors to the information table can participate in a photo call as well as take home 'No i Punt!' prevention material (T-shirts, cards and posters). From 'Don't Drown in Alcohol' (No t'ofeguis a l'alcohol) there will be backpacks, buttons, stickers and posters, as well as recommendations for individuals who serve alcohol at work, guides for parents and more.

15 July 2022
Communications Office
Consell de Formentera