International day of Remembrance of and Tribute to Victims of Terrorism
On the August 21st it is celebrated the first International day of Remembrance of and Tribute to Victims of Terrorism. On this day Victim Supoort Europe presents a video-poem in honour of all those affected by terrorist attacks.
The poem “In the Light and the Dark”, written by an ambulance technician who responded to the 22nd of March 2016 attacks at Zaventem airport in Belgium, was an expression of concern for those still dealing with their experiences and a plea for the necessary preparation, recognition and support. It reflects the attentive and supportive environment she had. She was fine, but many others continue to suffer. The poem holds true today as much as it did then. Recovery comes at its own pace and no-one should be alone along the way.
This video-poem is dedicated to those who have suffered and lost, and to the family, friends and others who were there to support them.
Guide for training of professionals on victims’ rights
The Portuguese Association for Victim Support, in the course of the partnership in the project “Developing an EU Training Module for the Victims Directive”, presents a guide for training of professionals on victims’ rights.
The guide (only in Portuguese) is a systematic and succinct approach to the rights of victims of crimes under the terms of the Victims Directive and Portuguese legislation, in particular the Victims' Statute, is carried out. It focuses on a set of issues related not only to the legal framework, but also to the practical operationalization of rights, taking into account recommendations from international organizations and APAV's field experience.
The project “Developing an EU Training Module for the Victims Directive” is funded by the European Commission and is intended to support the training of European lawyers, prosecutors and the judiciary on the needs and rights of victims of crime as provided for by Directive 2012/29/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 October 2012 establishing minimum standards on the rights, support and protection of victims of crime (the “Victims’ Directive”).
Guide for training of professionals on victims’ rights (in Portuguese) 
New campaign "You Can Leave"
APAV and Josefinas launched the "You Can Leave" campaign, joining in the fight against domestic violence. To support the victims of violence, the Portuguese footwear brand has designed new tennis shoes, which can already be found in Josefinas online store.
Each of these models re-uses the symbols used in clothing care, redefining them with other meanings for interpersonal relationships: "do not control", "do not blame", "do not bully", "do not embarrass" and "do not hurt" ".
In addition to the message of support for victims of violence, the campaign signed by Josefinas supports APAV. Each pair sold will enable APAV to support five victims of domestic violence for a month.
APAV and ILGA Portugal sign cooperation protocol
The Portuguese Association for Victim Support and ILGA (International Lesbian and Gay Association) Portugal signed in Lisbon, on May 17th, a protocol which firms institutional cooperation between these two entities, within the scope of the rights, protection and support to victims of crime and violence.
The signature was held precisely on the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia. The protocol will enable mutual collaboration in actions and projects of victim support, joint technical support and the promotion of specialized services for victims with special protection and support needs.
Through the LGBT Center and LGBT Victim Support Service (telephone and information line), ILGA Portugal has been supporting victims of violence, hate crimes and discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity for many years.
Conference Hate no More: support to victims of hate crime | 26th September
APAV will promote the Conference Hate no More: support to victims of hate crime, taking place in Lisbon, September 26th, at the Auditorium of Campus da Justiça.
Hate motivated crime and violence are a gross attempt to the most basic fundamental rights which affects not only the victim but also the community the victim belongs to and society at large.
Hate crimes are highly unreported because of structural, practical and, above all, social barriers faced by its victims. Furthermore, authorities have difficulties in identifying the hate motive underlying an offence which can jeopardize the correct classification of the crime as a hate crime and, consequently, the adequate support provided to and the recovery process of its victims. Finally, there is still little understanding and a great lack of awareness among society and within vulnerable communities concerning hate motivated violence and crime.
Project Hate no More aims at addressing these issues by creating raising awareness tools and multidisciplinary training for professionals, in order to improve the overall response mechanisms of the criminal justice system to current victims’ needs.
At Hate no More final conference invited speakers will discuss the more pressing issues related to the rights and needs of victims of hate crime and hate speech. Participants will also have the possibility to attend different workshops which focus on the interactions with particular groups of people which are more vulnerable to hate crimes, as well as on the investigation of these types of crime.
Information and registration:
apav.pt/hatenomore