In a popular vacation destination for Brits, there has been a concerning increase in violence against women with six fatalities occurring within a span of 15 days. Referred to as “violencia de género” by locals, translating to gender-based violence, the region has witnessed a total of 44 women losing their lives in 2025 alone.
The most recent tragic incident involved Jennifer, a 30-year-old Colombian woman residing in the village of El Viso del Alcor, situated between Sevilla and Carmona. Jennifer was fatally stabbed and their home set ablaze by her partner, Ismael, on Saturday, December 6th.
While Jennifer’s 11-year-old daughter was fortunately not present during the attack, another woman, a 39-year-old in Torrijos, was killed by her ex-partner the same week. Rosemery, the victim, had sought help from the Torrijas Women’s Centre in October but unfortunately did not receive police intervention. She left behind three children following the tragic incident.
In a separate incident in Alicante, Oriana, 34, was murdered by her husband in a domestic dispute that ended with the husband taking his own life. The discovery was made by Oriana’s brother-in-law after neighbors reported hearing distressing sounds from her residence.
Further tragic incidents unfolded, including the murder of María Ángeles, a 45-year-old woman, by her partner who later committed suicide. The violence extended to Campillos, where Concha, in her 20s, was strangled to death by her partner in her father’s home.
The surge in violence culminated in the death of María Victoria, 60, in Rincón de la Victoria. Emergency services found her lifeless after responding to reports of violence in her residence on calle Trébol, near Málaga. Authorities are alarmed by the spike in such incidents, suspecting the numbers to be the highest in a decade.
Despite these distressing events, Spain remains a top holiday destination for around 18 million Brits annually. Visitor numbers have rebounded to pre-pandemic levels in 2024 and 2025, showcasing the enduring appeal of the country as a vacation spot.