A cycle of harassment that does not cease
In an alarming case of sexual harassment, a 21-year-old man, residing in Tortosa (Baix Ebre), has been arrested for the second time in less than six months after harassing six women, including a minor. The latest arrest occurred on March 23, when authorities received new reports about his criminal behaviour.
1,376 calls from a hidden number were recorded during his attacks, in addition to the creation of nearly a hundred fake profiles on social media to stalk his victims. This chilling pattern has left the affected women with significant psychological aftereffects, such as anxiety and insomnia.
Despite the suffering inflicted, only one of the six victims dared to report the harassment to the Mossos d’Esquadra. According to Miquel Sánchez, an investigator with the police force, many women choose not to file complaints due to the fear and shame they feel when confronting their situation. “Coming in and explaining it at a police station is not easy,” Sánchez commented in a recent interview.
The first arrest of the harasser took place last November after a victim decided to break the silence. However, after being provisionally released, the young man continued his criminal behaviour until he was arrested again this month.
Sánchez emphasizes the urgent need for victims to report any form of harassment from the outset. “There is fear and ignorance among the victims,” he explained. “What they should do is go to the police when they start receiving multiple calls from hidden numbers or when they notice the presence of fake profiles.”
Investigations revealed that the harasser had sent sexual images without any justification and had created 93 fake profiles to carry out his stalking. The consequences for the victims have been devastating; some have required medical attention due to the psychological impact suffered.
This case highlights a growing problem: digital harassment and its devastating effects on the personal and psychological lives of those who suffer it. The police make a clear call: reporting is essential. Institutions must work together to raise awareness about this type of crime and provide adequate support to victims.
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