Sagunto observes a minute of silence for gender-violence killing in Leganés: 38 women in 2026
Councillors, municipal staff and residents gathered on 22 September outside Sagunto City Council buildings after the alleged murder of a 34-year-old woman in Leganés, in a year with 38 women killed.
The Equality Department of Sagunto City Council called a minute of silence on Tuesday 22 September at 12:00, held at the doors of the municipal buildings. The reason was the alleged gender-based killing of a 34-year-old woman in Leganés (Madrid). Members of the Municipal Corporation (the elected councillors), council staff, residents, and representatives of groups and associations gathered to express rejection and condemnation.
The call came with the official figures in force that day. The year 2025 ended with 47 women killed, and in 2026 the count had already reached 38. Since 2003, when records began, gender-based killings total 1,379. On top of that come 68 child victims since 2013 and three killings classed as vicarious violence (harm to children to hurt the mother) so far in 2026. With 38 cases in about 265 days, this year's average is one woman killed every seven days.
The minutes of silence in Sagunto have been repeated as the news has come in. On 5 August, after the cases in Barcelona and Santander, the council counted 33 women killed in 2026 and 1,374 since 2003, according to its note of that day. On 15 September it called another gathering for an 88-year-old woman in San Sebastián de los Reyes (Madrid), with a count of 37 and 1,378, as elperiodic.com reported. A week later came the Leganés case, with 38 and 1,379. Between 5 August and 22 September, the yearly count therefore rose by five.
The series did not stop there. According to valenciaextra.com, on 1 October Sagunto held a new minute of silence for three more killings: a 33-year-old woman in Alicante, a 47-year-old in Seville and a 39-year-old in Málaga. With them, the national count rose to 41 women in 2026 and 1,382 since 2003. The same outlet reported that 28 of the 40 gender-based killings counted in the year, or 70%, had no previous complaint. The figure reinforces the council's call to report any suspicion.
That is the message of the Equality department: anyone who suspects a case of violence has a civic duty to call 016 or 112 and report it. The 016 line is run by the Ministry of Equality and is free, confidential and open 24 hours a day, every day of the week. It answers in 53 languages and has operated since 2007. Besides phone calls, it accepts WhatsApp (600 000 016), online chat and email, channels designed for people who cannot speak freely on the phone. The call does not appear on the phone bill, though the council reminds callers to delete it from the handset's own call log.
Those who prefer face-to-face help can use the Women's Support Service (Servicio de Atención a las Mujeres), part of the Equality Department. It works in person from Monday to Friday and can be reached on 96 265 58 89, by WhatsApp on 607 248 363 (8:00 to 15:00) or by email at [email protected]. An appointment is recommended, but urgent cases are seen without one.
For a serious emergency, the number is 112, the Emergency Coordination Centre. A woman who has suffered an assault and needs protection can call the National Police (091 or 96 267 00 91), the Local Police (092 or 96 265 54 84) or the Guardia Civil (062).
The Valencian regional government also offers 900 580 888, the Centre Dona 24 Hores line (a women's support centre network). It is staffed by a multidisciplinary team of social workers, psychologists and lawyers. The Centres Dona work around the clock in the three provincial capitals (València, Castelló and Alacant), while others, such as those in Dénia, Torrevieja, Segorbe, Elda, Xàtiva or Elx, open from 8:00 to 22:00. According to Sagunto City Council and elperiodic.com, with data from the Ministry of Equality (La Moncloa), the Valencian regional government and valenciaextra.com.