Cross-border team launches first ever survey on gender-based violence against undocumented domestic workers. Here’s how to help.
What is the reality for undocumented domestic workers in Spain? How widespread is gender-based violence against these people? By surveying as many people as possible, and working closely with unions, we aim to uncover gaps in legal protections that leave undocumented workers vulnerable, and advocate for policy reforms to ensure they are better protected.
Introduction
No one should be subjected to illegal actions simply because they are undocumented, yet this remains the reality for many undocumented domestic workers. Living and working under the same roof as their abuser, their experiences of gender-based violence (GBV) often go unnoticed and unaddressed.
Of the 18 million domestic workers in the EU, 70% find themselves in an irregular situation. In Spain, 96% of domestic workers are women, and 45% are migrants – many of whom face both racialised and gender-based violence. Whenever victims do come forward, it’s at their own risk. And obtaining legal or psychological support in the aftermath of GBV is difficult if not impossible.
Together with our extensive network of local unions, social workers, NGOs and expert groups, our team plans an unprecedented investigation into the issue. By combining testimonies of workers with a carefully composed survey, we aim to create the most extensive investigation yet into the gender-based abuse faced by both documented and undocumented female migrant domestic workers.
Context in the EU
Undeclared domestic work ranks as the third most affected sector by irregular employment in the EU.
Spain has the largest number of domestic workers in the EU, who live mainly in Madrid and Barcelona. Many live in their employers’ homes (internas) making them especially vulnerable. Although Spain’s government has introduced progressive new labour laws, these measures have fallen short in providing adequate protection for many domestic workers, who continue to face systemic violations of both their labour and human rights.
Aims and objectives of our investigation, ‘Swept Under the Rug’
A study on declared female migrant domestic workers in the Basque Country in Spain found that 22% had experienced sexual harassment. A similar study in Madrid and Barcelona offered parallel results. However, these studies focus solely on declared domestic workers, leaving undocumented workers virtually invisible in the data.
This information gap is not just alarming; it is deadly. It allows exploitation to persist unchecked, including cases of GBV that remain unrecorded and unaddressed – gaps our team is determined to expose. Investigating the scale of GBV against undeclared domestic workers will be challenging, but it is absolutely essential.
We are certain that the data and testimonies we collect will drive meaningful change. Not only will we bring hidden abuses to light, we will push for concrete policy action at local, national, and EU levels to protect these workers and uphold their rights.
About the investigation team
We are Leah Pattem, Deniz Hazar, Sofia Turati and Daphne Tolis, a team of investigative journalists who are researching the labour conditions of domestic workers in Spain, Italy and Greece, with a focus on Gender-based violence. We are supported by the international journalism institution IJ4EU.
The Survey
This survey is for any person who currently works as a domestic worker (regardless of immigration status) or who has worked as a domestic worker in the last 10 years.
Thank you for taking this survey. It will take just 5-10 minutes. Your answers are completely anonymous and will only be visible to our team members. Participation is voluntary and you can skip questions or stop at any time.
If you or someone you know would like to participate in our survey, you can find the online versions below, or you can also download a PDF version and submit it to leahpattem@gmail.com.
English survey:
👉 Click here for the online Google Forms version
Download the PDF version below:
Survey in Spanish:
👉 Click here for the online Google Forms version
Download the PDF version below:
Support
If you have experienced any form of domestic violence at work and would like support, call:
- 016 for advice on gender-based violence (free, untraceable) for all regions of Spain
- 900814815 for legal advice from College of Lawyers in all regions of Spain