The complaint received by Ararteko responds to the treatment suffered by a woman last year in two police stations in Bilbao, when she went to report a sexual assault, according to Berria. The woman felt insecure in the police station: there was no female police, she had to ask for privacy because she was attended in the waiting room and suffered the “terrible attitude” of an ertzaina. These ill-treatment by the Ertzaintza has long been a source of concern among the groups of victims and feminist agents.

Ararteko has called on the Department of Security to complete a “climate of security” with regard to the victim, recalling that the Ertzainas’ task is to provide “adequate and caring treatment” to victims without off-site sentences or comments. However, Ararteko states that he has not made a full assessment of the case because the Department of Security has not sent him all the documentation requested, as according to those responsible for the Ertzainas who analysed the complaints there was no incorrect treatment. The Ombudsman has pointed out that this type of behaviour hinders the performance of her duties, harming people who come to the institution for help.

At least three Ertzainas have been convicted of offences. One of the violations was serious, committed last year to a woman from Basauri who reported a sexual assault: Some Ertzaines placed constant barriers and did not take data from the victim and his companion. The woman reported what happened from social networks and the feminist group organized a protest. The Ertzaintza apologized to the woman and imposed a one-month death penalty on the police.

In the other two cases, the Ertzainas were punished for minor violations. In one of them, in 2020, a woman was denied the protective measures requested, claiming that there were no “physical injuries”, and their relatives were commented “offside”. They left the police station, but returned on the same day to process protective measures.

The last case took place in Irun, last spring. A woman came to the police station to report gender-based violence to her partner and the police told her that the procedure was going to take place another day. After attending the Irun Guard Court, the woman managed to file the complaint within 24 hours.

As a result of these ill-treatment, Ararteko has asked the Department of Security for “specific measures” to ensure the best practices of the Ertzaintza.