In a statement with statistical data, the association reports that in the case of attempted homicides, 29 people were supported, whose cases were based on 24 crimes, while for completed homicides, 59 people were supported due to a total of 34 crimes.
Twenty-seven of those supported resided in the Lisbon district, 21 in Porto, nine in Faro, and five in Setúbal. Santarém, Leiria, and Coimbra were each the district of residence for four clients, Madeira for three, Viseu for two, while Portalegre, Castelo Branco, Aveiro, Braga, and Viana do Castelo had one each.
Of the supported clients, 51 were women (42 due to homicides and nine to attempts) and 36 men (19 following attempts and 17 homicides), with the association having “no information regarding the sex of one victim.”
In the case of attempted homicides, 25 of those attended were the victims of the crime, three were children, and one had “another relationship.”
Regarding completed homicides, 20 of those supported were children of the victims, 10 were parents, eight were siblings, and eight were other family members. Among the clients were also three spouses, three nephews/nieces, two uncles/aunts, and one each of partner, stepparent, in-law, neighbor, and one with “another relationship.”
“Within the scope of support processes initiated by APAV in 2023, it can be stated that 41.4% of the perpetrators of attempted homicide and 45.9% of the perpetrators of completed homicide had an intimate or family relationship with the victims,” the association adds.
APAV’s support can be provided in person, by phone, email, and online. Specialized support for this type of victim emerged in 2013 through the creation of the Support Network for Family and Friends of Victims of Homicide and Terrorism (RAFAVHT).
In 2024, the network changed its name to APAV HOPE – support for victims of homicide, terrorism, and mass victimization, which “combines practical, social, psychological, and legal support.”
“In parallel, the activity of the Homicide Crimes Observatory [which has been recording news presented by national and/or local media outlets since 2014] reveals the existence of 83 homicide crimes in Portugal in 2023 (25, including 20 women, in the context of domestic violence) and nine Portuguese killed abroad.”
In operation since 2014, the observatory records news presented by different national or local media outlets.
APAV provides free, confidential, and specialized support to all crime victims, in person through a national network of Victim Support Offices, “present in many cities across the country.”
The Victim Support Line, 116 006, operates Monday to Friday, between 8:00 AM and 11:00 PM, and it is also possible to use the email la*@ap**.pt.
