A APAV recorded an increase greater than 11% in the number of female victims monitored between 2022 and 2024, contrary to expectations of stabilization or decline. In total, 36489 women received support during this period, with 85% of cases relating to domestic violence.
In 2024 alone, 12,681 women were monitored, 1,200 more than in 2022. In the same period, the association recorded 70,179 crimes and forms of violence.a, growth of more than 10%.
Most victims have between 18 and 64 years oldbut APAV also registered requests for help from 5,451 children and young people and 3,765 women over 65 years of age. On average, 20 women per day sought support.
Daniel Cotrim, technical advisor to the APAV management, admits that the data reveals the absence of a downward trend. The overwhelming prevalence of domestic violence concerns, but the official emphasizes that the increase in requests may also reflect greater information and awareness among women about their rights and the need to leave abusive relationships.
The person responsible associates this trend with propagation of hate speech and misogynygreatly amplified on social media, which influence both increasingly younger aggressors and victims. In 70% of cases, the aggressor is a man between 26 and 55 years old, usually in an intimate relationship with the victim.
The advisor reinforces that the persistence of the problem shows that violence against women continues to be “endemic” in Portuguese society, fueled by traditionalist views on gender roles.
Therefore, it advocates firmer intervention by the State in prevention, emotional education and the promotion of positive and egalitarian relationships — especially among younger peoplemain consumers of toxic content on social networks.