Gala dinner in Faro against domestic violence
From left: António Bernardes, President of Alliance Française in Algarve, Helena Louro, President of Rotary Club of Faro, João Lazaro, President of APAV, and Christine Fay, Past President Rotary Club Estoi Palace International
Rotary Club Estoi Palace International (RCEPI), with the help of the Rotary Club of Faro, held a gala dinner last Friday at Hotel Eva in Faro in support of APAV - Associação Portuguesa de Apoio à Vitima.
The evening raised in excess of €5.000, which will help APAV provide multiple specialist support services to victims of domestic violence.
APAV was founded 31 years ago providing protection and support to those affected by this scourge. The association has two shelters offering both emergency and prolonged support to help those affected develop a new life plan, free of violence.
The gala dinner saw 110 guests gather at Hotel Eva to give their support to this fundraiser. The President of APAV, João Lázaro, gave a presentation about the work the association does to help victims and how much it is needed. He was accompanied by Júlia Cardoso, responsible for the Algarve branch located in Loulé.
RCEPI and APAV are also grateful for the support of the Algarve branch of Alliance Française, whose main mission is to disseminate the French language and culture. Thanks also went to PA International Foundation for sponsoring the event.
1st Transnational Training Event | PROTECT
Last week, from March 15th to 18th, we had the opportunity to organize the 1st Transnational Training Event in the scope of the "Project PROTECT - sharing good practices on restorative justice and promoting the protection of victims' rights", hosted and organized by APAV, with the support of the Oriente Foundation.
During these days we welcomed 40 trainees, collaborators of the project's partner organizations: VSE, SPONDÉ, MEDIANTE, EFRJ, WAAGE and the University of Barcelona, as well as the project's coordinating organization: WELCOME APS.
The first three days of the event were marked by training sessions, led by APAV, VSE and EFRJ. Among the various topics addressed, we highlight the European approach facilitated by the VSE, which highlighted topics such as the "EU strategy for victims 2020-2025" and the assessment of individual needs of victims of crime. APAV then took the floor, outlining a national panorama on the implementation of the Victims' Directive in Portugal, the impact of crime and the consequences of victimization. EFRJ, on the other hand, focused on the legal framework of restorative justice and how it can offer a safe space for victims, protecting their rights and needs.
On the last day there was the opportunity to visit the APAV facilities, namely: the Victim Support Office and the APAV Headquarters in Lisbon, the Training Center and the facilities of the Integrated Distance Support System (SIAD).
The event was also marked by several moments of networking, sharing best practices and knowledge.
New awareness campaign: To speak is a sign of strength
In 2020, the Portuguese Association for Victim Support received a total of 1,627 cases of male victims of domestic violence, a number that has been growing year by year. Stigma, prejudice, fear and low self-esteem prevent many men from talking about it and coming out as victims, which leads to the belief that the real numbers will be much higher than the identified cases.
With the purpose of fighting prejudice, APAV, in partnership with PEPPER agency, launches a campaign that intends to alert to this reality and tell men that talking about the issue, and assuming that they are victims, is a sign of strength.
If you have been a victim of crime or violence, contact us through the Victim Helpline | 116 006 (working days, from 8 am to 10 pm).
Agency: PEPPER
Production: FASTFORWARD
European Commission organises Ceremony 18th European Remembrance Day for Victims of Terrorism
On Friday 11th March 2022, the European Commission will organise an event to mark the 18th European Remembrance Day for Victims of Terrorism. This day is devoted to commemorate all EU victims of terrorism worldwide and victims on EU soil. The event brings together victims and survivors of terrorism, victims’ associations and first responders to share their stories and experiences, as well as European and Member States’ representatives to present EU and civil society initiatives and the European Centre of expertise for victims of terrorism. The European Commission together with the Victims/Survivors of Terrorism (VoT) Working Group of the Radicalisation Awareness Network (RAN) would like to invite you to digitally attend the ceremony, which will take place on 11 March 2022, 09:15 – 12:30 CET.
This year, the theme of the event will be “Voices of Hope – Generations United in Remembrance”; the event will provide an opportunity for participants to share their thoughts, experiences and perspectives on how to promote remembrance across generations.
The event will take place on the premises of the European Commission in Brussels. Similar to 2021, the event will take place in a hybrid format, as physical participation in Brussels will be limited due to the situation related to COVID-19. This save the date regards your digital attendance via videoconference.
Furthermore, on Thursday 10 March, an online meeting will take place in order to provide all participants with the opportunity to meet informally before the ceremony on 11 March.
Please note that during the ceremony, interpretation in FR-DE-EN-IT-ES-NL-PT-EL-DA-SV-PL will be provided. If you have any questions about the European Remembrance Day, please contact the RAN VoT Working Group at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Solidarity with the people of Ukraine
APAV expresses its most profound solidarity with all victims of the war in Ukraine.
It is with great sorrow that we follow the severe violation of human and fundamental rights of Ukrainian citizens, essencial pillars of life in society and in a global community. Such gross violations, now assuming the form an armed conflict, produce extremely negative and long-lasting impacts in all direct and indirect victims.
The disruptions caused to the most elementary feeling of safety, well-being and personal freedom may last for a long period of time and for many years to come, generating deep consequences in all life’s spheres, profound suffering and serious difficulties at the physical, psychological and social levels.
We express all our support to all victims of this unspeakable war, highlighting our most profound solidarity with the Ukrainian community in Portugal and with all their families and friends, now united by grief and by piece in their home country.
