New campaign: "Until death do us part"
In 2011 APAV supported almost 7.000 women victims of violence, which means that every day an average of 19 women are seeking support in the network of free and confidential services provided by our organisation.
Violence against women continues to be one of the core problems in society. This is why it is crucial to continue to raise the awareness towards it.
The 25th of November, International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, raises the perfect opportunity to launch the most recent awareness raising campaign of APAV.
In partnership with LINTAS and Ignition Ativism, this campaign participated in the international competition Create 4 the UN – “SAY NO to Violence Against Women” - and was selected as one of 15 best campaigns.
“Until death do us part” is the campaign motto.
Debate/Seminar: “Sexual Violence against Children” | February 22nd
On February 22nd - the European Day of Victim of Crime - APAV will host a debate seminar based on the theme, “Sexual Violence against Children”. The event will be held at the Fontana Park Hotel (Lisbon).
APAV has invited the following presenters to the panel: Rui do Carmo (General Prosecutor); Carlos Poiares (Universidade Lusófona de Humanidades e Tecnologias); Alexandra André (Judicial Police); Alexandra Anciães (Instituto Nacional de Medicina Legal e Ciências Forenses); and Eduardo Sá (psychologist). There will be an opportunity for an open debate, moderated by journalist Rita Marrafa de Carvalho.
Signing up for this event is free. Please confirm your attendance by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Published the New Directive on Victims’ Rights
It was just published the Directive 2012/29/EU of 25 October 2012 establishing minimum standards on the rights, support and protection of victims of crime. Voted by the European Parliament and approved with an overwhelming majority on the 12th of October 2012, this Directive will bring about a stronger set of rights for victims of crime and guarantee that all victims of crime enjoy the same basic rights in criminal proceedings and have access to victim support services and compensation.
Among other things, the innovative character of this Directive includes establishing an individual assessment of the specific needs of every and each victim, the obligation imposed to Member States of providing free-of-charge and confidential victim support services and the guarantee that victims will receive information about their rights in a language they can understand.
To the Portuguese Association for Victim Support (APAV), and as a non-governmental organisation that believes and works to ensure that the victim statute is fully recognized, valued and effective; this is clearly a step forward towards the protection of crime victims.
No Means Stop! - Campaign for the prevention of sexual violence among university students
The Project UNISEXO, promoted by the Portuguese Association for Victim Support, envisages acting on preventing sexual violence in higher education institutions, focusing primarily on occasional and dating relationships established by university students.
The devaluation of forced sex in intimate relationships and of minor sexual acts (like touches and forced kisses), the increase of the use of alcohol and other substances in a festive environment and the usual excesses in academic festivities are factors that may lead victims not to denounce or even perceive them as criminal acts.
The main activity of Project UNISEXO is the development a campaign for the prevention of sexual violence among university students. The campaign will be held through diverse means, namely: video and radio spots, leaflets, posters and street furniture, along with other materials. The campaign aims to bind a key message: “No Means Stop! Respect the will of others. Sexual violence is a crime.”
Project UNISEXO is financed by the QREN/POPH (National Reference Strategic Framework/Operational Programme Human Potential), Axis 7 – Gender Equality, measure 7.3. – technical and financial support to NGO’s, measure managed by the National Commission for Citizenship and Gender Equality.
“Security, Democracy and Cities: The Future of Prevention” | 12/14 December | France
On the 12th, 13th and 14th of December, the Conference “Security, Democracy and Cities: The Future of Prevention” will be held in France.
Organized by EFUS (European Forum for Urban Security) in partnership with Aubervilliers and Saint-Denis (France), this interdisciplinary and international conference will be dedicated to the exchange of practices, experience and knowledge on crime prevention in Europe and around the world.
At this Conference, where it will be discussed topics related to drug abuse, minorities, organized crime and violence against women, will also be held lectures with experts in various fields in order to evaluate the urban security policies over the past 25 years, the challenges for the future of prevention as well as the main themes discussed by local authorities. Another highlight of this conference will be the adoption of the Manifesto which will reflect the political position adopted.
This initiative, in which 800 attendants from all over the world are expected, is addressed to all those who are involved in urban security, such as local authorities, security professionals, social workers, researchers, and representatives of civil society.
Website:
www.2012conference.eu