The Portuguese Association of Women Jurists emphasizes that, “in this type of especially violent crime, not only cannot, nor should, a causal relationship between the victim’s behavior and sexual aggression be established because its logical consequence presents itself as a justification and excuse for criminal conduct, but also, and simultaneously, this contributes to reinforcing the victim’s feelings of insecurity, fear and shame, reinforcing and amplifying all stereotypes and prejudices relating to sexual crimes”.
APMJ also criticizes the fact that the publication is “totally omitted to indicate any means of information and support for victims of sexual assault, or public resources and specialized services available in such cases, which could enable any potential future victims to deal with situations identical to the one described therein”.
In the association’s opinion, “such a procedure is absolutely incompatible with what, in this regard, is recommended by the United Nations, namely with that contained in Recommendation No. 35 of the Committee that monitors the application of the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW)”.
The letter signed by the president of the APMJ board, Maria Teresa Féria de Almeida, believes that, in future cases, the PJ “will not fail to implement appropriate measures to ensure that police information on future sexual assaults respects internationally adopted guidelines, does not convey the sexist concepts indicated above and contributes to the guidance, clarification and reinforcement of the safety of potential victims”.