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Domestic violence is a crime that occurs within family relationships and can be perpetrated by either men or women. Victims can include spouses, parents, children, grandparents, and others. Because domestic violence is a public crime, anyone can file a complaint or report it.
In this article, we’ll explain how to act if you encounter violence in your condominium.
I Witnessed Violence: What should I do?
Types of Violence
Domestic violence can happen in various ways, including:
- Physical violence: Any action that compromises the physical integrity or bodily health of the victim.
- Psychological violence: Any action that causes emotional damage, harms, or disturbs the victim’s psychological development.
- Sexual violence: Any action that restricts the victim’s sexual or reproductive freedom, induces prostitution, or causes genital mutilation.
- Property violence: Any action involving the retention, partial or total subtraction, or destruction of the victim’s property and economic resources.
- Moral violence: Any action involving slander (falsely imputing the commission of a crime), defamation (offense to the individual’s honor and reputation), or libel (verbal or written moral offense) against the victim.
If you encounter these situations, or others that you deem to be an act of violence, it is essential to intervene and report them.
When and Whom Should I Report it To?
If you are witnessing a violent situation at any moment, you should call the police immediately. If you don’t call immediately, it’s important to file a complaint with any department of the public prosecutor’s office, the attorney general’s office, a police station or department of the public security police (PSP), the republican national guard (GNR), or the judicial police. You can also file a complaint online via the Queixa Eletrónica portal, which is designed to make reporting to the PSP or GNR easier.
How to Contact Victim Support Associations
Victim support associations provide assistance in various ways. They offer psychological support, referrals to shelters, and legal advice if necessary. Additionally, you can contact them to file a complaint, either by phone or in person, free of charge and confidentially.
For example, the Portuguese Association for Victim Support (APAV) offers help via its victim support line at 116 006, available from 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM. The Commission for Gender Equality (CIG) has a telephone information service available 24 hours a day at 217 983 000.
Conclusion
Witnessing domestic violence requires immediate action, as it is a public crime. It is essential to balance respecting privacy with the moral responsibility to help those in danger. When faced with clear signs of violence, such as heated arguments, aggression, or humiliation, it is imperative to report it to the appropriate authorities.
Reports can be made directly to the authorities or through victim support associations, ensuring timely intervention and support. Your actions can make a significant difference and potentially save lives, as the safety and well-being of everyone is a collective responsibility.
