Despite all the work done nationally to help victims of domestic violence, 2013 has already seen 33 women killed by their partners and another 32 battered to the extent that police charged assailants with attempted murder.
The data, released by Observatório de Mulheres Assassinadas and reported in Público, is “nothing new”. Every month three women lose their lives to either current or former husbands or lovers.
This year’s figures show an exponential increase in murders of the over-50s (21), and of these women 14 were over the age of 65.
But 2013’s figures are comparatively better than three years ago, when 43 women died in situations of domestic violence.
Nonetheless Lisbon, Porto and Setúbal remain the ‘worst’ areas for offences.
The news came on International Day for the Elimination of all forms of Violence against Women and coincides with a new government campaign which will run in all Portuguese-speaking countries.
Meantime, the best hotlines for victims of abuse are: Victims of Domestic Violence – 800 202 148, Emergency hotline – 112; Abused Children – 213 433 333; SOS Friendly Voice (Depression, Suicide) – 800 202 669; SOS Pregnant – 808 201 139; SOS Child– 217 931 617; APAV (Portuguese Association for Victims Help) – 707 200 077 www.apav.pt
