The spokesperson for the Socialist Municipal Group in Torrevieja, Bárbara Soler Torregrosa, has denounced the decision of the Generalitat Valenciana to remove the Judicial Family Meeting Point in Torrevieja from the new regional network of Family Meeting Points, which is scheduled to come into operation on 1 November 2026.
Soler noted that this is an essential service relied upon by many families and children in Torrevieja to ensure judicial decisions are carried out with full guarantees and in the best interests of minors.
Family Meeting Points are specialized public services designed to ensure minors maintain relationships with their parents or relatives when ordered by a judge or competent authority. These are neutral, secure spaces supervised by specialized technical professionals, including psychologists, educators, and social workers. Visits take place in these spaces during high-conflict situations arising from separations, divorces, gender violence, protection measures, or other circumstances requiring professional supervision. Their aim is to protect minors, ensure their well-being, and facilitate compliance with judicial rulings in a suitable environment while avoiding conflict and providing support to families.
However, the new regional network structure removes Torrevieja as a site for this service. The province of Alicante will now only feature locations in Alicante, Alcoy, Benidorm, Dénia, Elda, Elche, and Orihuela, eliminating those in Torrevieja, Villena, Sant Vicent del Raspeig, and Villajoyosa.
Soler stated that it is incomprehensible for a growing city like Torrevieja, which has experienced significant population growth, to lose a service that assists a high volume of families and minors. She added that there are no public reports supporting the removal of this resource from the municipality.
The Family Meeting Point in Torrevieja manages a high volume of cases and is an established resource used by families across its area of influence. Everything indicates that the service will be taken over by the Family Meeting Point in Orihuela, forcing families to travel long distances to complete a procedure previously available in their own city. Families using private vehicles will need to drive to Orihuela to drop off and pick up their children, whilst those relying on public transport will face further difficulties.
The Alicante Bar Association (ICALI) has publicly warned that reducing these resources could negatively affect effective judicial protection and the best interests of minors by hindering compliance with court orders and removing a service that should remain local and accessible.
Soler highlighted that forcing families to sacrifice their work and family balance to comply with judicial rulings creates unnecessary obstacles, ultimately harming minors. While acknowledging that the Generalitat holds the authority to organize the Family Meeting Point network, she argued that such significant decisions must be supported by objective criteria matching real local needs.
The Socialist Municipal Group is demanding that the Generalitat rectify its decision and maintain the Family Meeting Point in Torrevieja. Soler added that if the issue stems from the future use of the building currently housing the service, Torrevieja Town Hall must offer an alternative location to the Generalitat to prevent the city from losing an essential support service for families and child protection.
Other Articles
