STRONG: a song to raise awareness against violence

The new song “Strong” is the result of an initiative by Rita Nobre Mira with the interpretation of singer and dancer Catarina Clau. This project was only possible with a collaboration, effort and commitment of a group of women from different creative areas and entities that embraced this project and cause of heart and soul. To reinforce the message, a video clip was also made. This initiative aims to raise awareness against domestic violence and send a positive message, also across borders, of overcoming and empowering victims.

APAV, which celebrates 30 years of existence this year, joins this initiative, which in addition to raising awareness also has a solidarity aspect. The royalties will directly go to support victims of crime and violence. The music video is already available on digital platforms and the video can be watched here: youtu.be/ajLMLc4IgjY

At the same time, a merchandising line with the “Strong” signature is also available. T-shirts and hoodies with a “Strong” image are on sale at the APAV Store, recipes revert to the Association.

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SEMINAR Counter@ct: preventing and combating online radicalisation

The Final Seminar of the Counter@ct Project: preventing and combating radicalisation online will take place on September 24, 2020 at the Auditorium of the Judicial Police, in Lisbon and in which the Portuguese Association for Victim Support – APAV, and its partners aim present the results and products of the Counter@act Project.

The Seminar will bring together civil society organisations, national and European authorities in the area of ​​security and support for victims of terrorism, providing an excellent opportunity to learn about transnational practices in the area of ​​preventing and combating the phenomena of radicalisation, violent extremism and of terrorism.

To organise this Seminar, APAV uses its experience as an organisation that has held similar events for almost 30 years, but also on the ideas and suggestions of its Counter@ct Project partners. If you want to participate in the Seminar, please register here.

If you have any questions about the Seminar or if you experience any technical difficulties at the time of registration, please contact us through andrecarpinelli@apav.pt.

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PROVICTIMS Conference: the role of the Public Prosecution in the promotion of victims’ rights

The Portuguese Minister of Justice, Francisca Van Dunem, closed the PROVICTIMS Conference: the role of the Public Prosecution in the promotion of victims’ rights. The minister spoke about the main challenges of guaranteeing the rights of victims in Portugal and in the context of the European Union and acknowledged that APAV, “due to the processes it has led, the projects it works on, the way it works, has become a partner essential, in this unfinished and so demanding mission for all of us, to protect and dignify as specified in its statute”.

The Conference brought together civil society associations, the Academy, Security Forces, judicial authorities and policy makers from across Europe, providing a unique opportunity to learn about transnational practices and discuss how public prosecutor services can impact victims’ rights.The PROVICTIMS Project seeks to improve the role of prosecutors in promoting the rights of victims, as well as improving cooperation between the Public Ministry and victim support services.

More information at apav.pt/provictims

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APAV promotes a new awareness campaign about Human Trafficking

Marking the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, celebrated on July 30, APAV presents an awareness campaign. In 2019, 86 victims of human trafficking in Portugal were reported, an increase of around 45% compared to 2018.

According to the Immigration, Borders and Asylum Report of the Aliens and Borders Service, with regard to the type of exploitation, Portugal, in countercycling with the other European Union countries, continues to signal mostly victims of labor exploitation, coming from third countries.

According to article 160 of the Penal Code, the crime of human trafficking is committed by those who deliver, recruit, entice, accept, transport, lodge or welcome a person with the intention of subjecting them to exploitation, namely sexual exploitation, sexual exploitation work, begging, slavery, organ harvesting or the exploitation of other criminal activities, through the use of violence, kidnapping, abuse of authority, taking advantage of the victim’s mental incapacity or through another form of deception or coercion.

Human trafficking is a very complex crime, as it involves different actions, forms of violence and exploitation, which continues to affect millions of people worldwide and increasingly requires the development and constant updating of effective measures to combat it and the protection of its victims.

APAV continues to develop work in the area of ​​intervention with the victims of this crime, through the Center for Reception and Southern Protection (reception unit for women victims of Human Trafficking) and the assistance and support work provided by the Support Network to Migrant and Discrimination Victims (UAVMD). The campaign now presented was developed by Maianga, an advertising, audiovisual and cultural production agency that operates in Angola, Cape Verde, Portugal and Brazil.

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APAV 30 Years | Piano recital with Jorge Moyano

As part of the celebrations for the 30th anniversary of the Portuguese Association for Victim Support, Theatro Circo in Braga hosted a solidarity recital with pianist Jorge Moyano, on July 10. The pianist performed works by Chopin, Liszt and Gershwin.

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