More than 100 organizations have signed a manifesto in which they request the General Council of the Judiciary (CGPJ) to investigate magistrate David Maman Benchimol, in charge of the case against the former Deputy Operational Director (DAO) of the National Police, José Ángel González, for sexual assault against a subordinate. The entities consider that certain public statements by the judge on sexist violence are “incompatible” with judicial impartiality.
The events date back to February 2026, when the magistrate made various statements during a training event at the Illustrious Bar Association of Madrid, subsequently disseminated in a video by La Sexta on Wednesday, April 22.
Questioned demonstrations
According to the organizations' statement, the magistrate made claims that convey a “stereotyped” view of women. Among them, references stand out that some complainants seek protection orders in a self-interested manner —with expressions such as “the hunt for the order”—, that there are “advantages” for women in reporting, and that in cases involving minors, mothers can influence their children through alleged “brainwashing”.
The signing entities underline that “such statements are not neutral nor merely academic. They project a stereotyped vision of women reporting violence and of mothers in family or violence proceedings, by insinuating an instrumental use of the report and a supposed maternal manipulation of sons and daughters”.
Likewise, they warn that this discourse "objectively compromises the victims' trust in receiving prejudice-free protection". In this regard, they recall that the Spanish Constitution guarantees the right to equality and effective judicial protection, and obliges public authorities to avoid any discrimination on grounds of sex.
They also highlight that Spain is subject to international commitments such as the Istanbul Convention, which requires combating gender stereotypes and avoiding secondary victimization in judicial proceedings.
Petition to the CGPJ
In their request, the organizations ask the CGPJ to open informative proceedings to determine if the statements of the exDAO judge could constitute a disciplinary infraction. Specifically, they cite possible infractions included in the Organic Law of the Judiciary related to a lack of consideration towards citizens.
Furthermore, they claim that, if sufficient evidence is found, a disciplinary file should be opened and measures adopted to reinforce training in equality and victims' rights within the specialized jurisdiction.
Among the signatories of the manifesto are Socialist Feminists (FEMES), the Alliance against the Erasure of Women, the Federation of Progressive Women, the PSOE, the Feminist Forum of Castilla y León, the Association of Women Jurists Themis and Alanna, among others.