The Spanish government has launched a nationwide scheme under which men convicted of violence against wives and girlfriends must wear electronic bracelets. If they come within 500 metres of their victim, the bracelet sends a signal to the police.

Spain’s Equality Minister Bibiana Aido explained the plan aims to improve protection of victims, make potential aggressors think twice before committing violent acts and monitor restraining orders more effectively. Three thousand of the GPS devices will be available to judges to hand down to male offenders deemed the most dangerous. Their female victims will also receive handsets that allow them to contact a control centre if they feel threatened. So far this year, 23 women have died as a result of domestic violence, which claimed 75 women’s’ lives in 2008.More about: Spain, Women’s rights

Copyright © 2012 euronews