Framework

Domestic violence has earned a growing attention from the international organisations and national governments. Portugal is not the exception, with a clear effort, in the past years, to increase the institutional help given to the victims: the creation of the National Plans toward Equality and Against Domestic Violence (PNCVD); the creation of more shelters; the increase of the available help structures; the formation of specialized groups through policies; awareness raising actions by health professionals. Besides these measures, the policies developed in Portugal have been going through a deep effort change the law. If, up until a couple of years ago, most countries tend to neglect the existence of this problem, today we can say that the legal treatment for violence against women is a priority (even if this assumption is not always synonym of immediate implementation of the desired or foreseen measures). Women are more and more encouraged by several institutions to make a formal complaint against their aggressors. But, what real help do these women receive? What is the performance and role of these institutions in the itineraries that women make from the moment they decide to report a situation of violence? What can the woman who suffers violence expect until reaching a level of stability?

With this course, we intend to reflect on the role of the State and the civil society in helping women who suffer domestic violence, and the way how the institutions work, interact and establish, or not, active dynamics capable of speeding processes which contribute to overcoming the social structures and relationships that promote or perpetuate violence against women.

Coordinators:

Madalena Duarte
Ana Oliveira
João Paulo Dias

March 11th

10h00 – 10h30
Presentation of the course and its thematic
Trainers: Ana Oliveira and Madalena Duarte, Centre for Social Studies

10h30 – 12h30
Gender Violence in Portugal: what policies?
Trainers: Madalena Duarte, Centre for Social Studies
Representative of the Portuguese Commission for Citizenship and Gender Equality

12h30 – 14h00 – Lunch

14h00 – 16h15
The itinerary starting point: from silence to reporting (i)
Trainers:
Justina Jesus Oliveira, Police Force
Paulo Fernandes, National Republican Guard
Rosa Castro, Portuguese Association of Victim Support

16h15 – 16h30 – coffee break

16h30 – 18h45
The itinerary starting point: from silence to reporting (ii)
Trainers:
Ana Márcia Oliveira, Alexandre Gonçalves, Regional Emergency Teams of the National Social Emergency Line, Portuguese Red Cross
Alexandra Seabra, Torres Vedras Hospital
Anabela Neves, National Institute of Forensic Medicine

March 12th

10h00 – 12h30
The (differentiated) response from civil society
Trainers:
Elisabete Brasil, Women's Union Alternative and Response (UMAR)
Margarida Medina, Women's Association Against Violence (AMCV)

12h30 – 14h00 – Lunch

14h00 – 16h15
Under the Law?
Trainers:
Isabel Baptista, Directorate-General for Social Reintegration
Inês Carvalho Sá, Portuguese Bar Association
Maria Fernanda Alves, Central Department for Criminal Investigation and Prosecution

16h15 – 16h30 – coffee break

16h30 – 18h45
Under the Law? (ii)
Trainers:
Rui do Carmo, Attorney General
Plácido Conde Fernandes, Centre for Judicial Studies
Teresa Féria, Judge, Portuguese Association of Female Legal Professionals

Deadline for registration: March 11th

Maximum: 40 participants