The Executive Director of the Legal Assistance for Women and Children (ALFeLa) Merita Correia said ALFeLa offered legal assistance to 513 victims of Gender Based Violence (GBV) in 2014.
People are now familiar with the Law against Domestic Violence therefore reporting by victims of GBV is increasingly annually.
“In 2014, legal assistance was provided to 513 victims, which is very high compared to 2013 and 2012 with 341 and 216 victims respectively,” said Director Correia.
The types of GBV cases registered by ALFeLa are mostly cases of domestic violence, sexual assault (incest).
Article 25 of the Law against Domestic Violence says victims have the right to receive legal assistance from lawyers therefore ALFeLa was established to motivate and encourage women to raise their cases through the formal justice system.
ALFeLa’s report suggests that from 2005 to 2014, soe 2068 women and children received legal assistance.
The President of the Board of ALFeLa Silveiro Pinto Baptista said he is proud of ALFeLa’s performance and urges ALFeLa to work harder so that women and children can obtain formal justice.
“ALFeLa appeared in construction context to strengthen the justice system in the country particularly the rights of women and children,” said Baptista.
The Commissioner of the National Commission for Children Right (KNDL) Maria Bareto acknowledges that violence based on gender happens everywhere.
“I’m in favor of ALFeLa’s report that the rate of sexual assault against young women is on the rise,” said Commissioner Barreto.
She added that is why her commission will try harder to continue making advocacy with the relevant institutions to reflect on the situation and take action to ensure all victims get the justice they deserve because many still suffer from great injustices.
