What is the Meaning of Denounce and It’s Implications?
As suggested by one of our lovely clients, Eileen, denouncing causes some confusion in Spain, so we will endavour to explain it. If you take a look at an English Dictionary, the English word denounce is a verb that means
a) to to criticize something or someone strongly and publicly:
“The government’s economic policy has been denounced on all sides.”
“We must denounce injustice and oppression”
Or
b) to accuse someone publicly of being something that is bad or wrong:
“His former colleagues have denounced him as a spy”.
In Spanish the word denounce is “denuncia” and it is a complaint about something or someone. The police will investigate and see whether or not there is a case to answer,
So, if you think you have been a victim of a crime, you make a Denuncia at any office of the Guardia Civil or Policia Local. It is best to take your passport and NIE and a translator. When you have told your story, you will be given a copy of the typed up report and you made need to provide a copy to an isnurance provider if this is appropriate. Or to take it to a lawyer.
The police force you have been to have an obligation to investigate the crime and to decide whether to pass this over to a public prosecutor or not. Thus sometimes you may make a denuncia and time goes by and you never hear anything more. On the flip side, if you are told that someone has denounced you, it may be that they are just trying to cause problems for you, but the police do not take it seriously and you have nothing to worry about.
If you do hear something from the police, then please contact Amanda on enquiries@spanishsolutions.net and we will help you.
In May, we advised that it is possible to make a denuncia by telephone, but very kindly received this email from Chris Poole. Retiring Leader of Vecinos Coloborando – Orihuela Costa (Neighbourhood Watch)
Dear Comaskey,
I have seen the advice you have circulated in your May edition headed – Making a Denuncia.
This is a system that can be used for making a denuncia in your own language if you live in an area or are the victim of a crime in an area controlled by the Policia Naciónal, e.g. Alicante or Orihuela and you have to visit the station in either of these cities to sign the denuncia. I believe that then the Police in the area where you live or the crime occurred will be informed of it. This system was brought into use a few years ago but I believe due to financial restrictions was withdrawn during the winter months. I do not know whether this system is still operational. If you live or are the victim of a crime in an area controlled by the Guardia Civil such as Pilar Orihuela Costa or Torrevieja, you should make a denuncia at the nearest Cuartel. Unfortunately, there is no free translator provided at the Cuartel at Torre de la Horadado so if the victim does not speak Spanish or have friend who does and is willing to assist to help, he/she needs to employ a translator. However, a free translator is provided on weekday mornings at the Cuartel at Torrevieja.
Last year I contacted the number 902 102 112 and put the question “If I live in a Guardia Civil area can I use this system?”. The advice was to make it at the Guardia Civil Cuartel.
For persons wanting to make a Denuncia on the Orihuela Costa area they can do so at any time at the Cuartel at Torre de la Horadada or on weekday mornings at the Guardia Civil office at the Ayuntamiento at Playa Flamenca. However, if a person wants to report a stolen car they must visit Torre de la Horadada. In both the Cuartel and the Ayuntamiento only Spanish is spoken.
Best wishes,
Chris Poole.
My advice is to keep a copy of this newsletter, just in case you ever need to refer to this
105 Comments
Peter Ford
I like info on denounce a owner of a villa I am renting as she is not paying my deposit back as she said she has spent it and I’ve give a months notice on moving out