Description
This project aims to address the problem of domestic violence in Oliveira de Azeméis (northern Portugal), through educational activities and support services to victims of intimate partner violence and children caught up in these situations. Coordinated actions with the education system and youth associations will be held to give visibility to the phenomenon and try to prevent it. The project will include the production and dissemination of information materials and awareness-raising activities meant to engage students, parents and the community, on the rights and duties of everyone, men and women, and on the consequences of domestic violence. It will also include training for the technicians working on these situations, in order to improve detection, as well as the approach to the aggressor. Also planned, is the setting up of a service office for aggressors and victims, which will provide psychological support services, guidance and legal information.
Summary of project results
The municipality of Oliveira de Azeméis is located in the north of Portugal (district of Aveiro) and has a population of 68 611 individuals. Regarding marital status, about half of the population is married (53.3%), higher than the national average. There are 24 235 families (Census 2011). The Social Security organisation and the Child and Youth Protection Commission has specifically identified 20 domestic violence focuses, which are characterised as follows: 19 cases of female victims and 1 male; the average age is 43 years; physical and psychological violence in 14 of the 20 cases; psychological violence in 6 cases. It should be noted that in these households are included 10 children under the age of 10. With regard to attempted homicides, Aveiro is the 3rd district at the national level with the highest incidence of this crime, in which victims are women. In addition to an in-depth diagnosis of the domestic violence situation in the municipality, the project has launched a campaign against domestic violence, organised a seminar (43 participants) and 4 training actions for teachers and professionals (33 participants) and implemented awareness raising actions for 315 children and youngsters of 8 schools. The social assistance office funded by the project has provided psychological, legal and social support to 95 people and submitted 25 complaints to the competent official entities. This project was innovative in Oliveira de Azeméis (although not at national level). The NGO staff and leaders have participated in training sessions organized by the project and therefore they are now more capable of dealing with domestic violence issues. The NGO statutes have been modified to pay more attention to gender equality and prevention of domestic violence.
Summary of bilateral results