The Municipality of Castro Marim joined the Network of Municipalities in Solidarity with Victims of Domestic Violence.
This Network was born out of cooperation between the Government and the National Association of Portuguese Municipalities (ANMP) and its main objective is to provide low-cost housing for victims of domestic violence, after they leave shelters.
Domestic violence in Portugal registers overwhelming numbers. In 2013 there were 40 fatalities, ten of which were male and, in the first quarter of this year, the Public Ministry of the judicial district of Lisbon has already registered around 2.300 cases, an average of 25 cases per day.
By joining the Network, the Municipality of Castro Marim will prioritize victims of domestic violence in the attribution of social housing units or assess the availability of houses it holds in its assets, for rent at low cost.
If none of these hypotheses are available, the municipality, through its social action services, will help victims to look for housing in the rental market in their territorial area.
After leaving the shelters, victims of domestic violence begin a delicate and decisive process of autonomy, their return to the community and the beginning of a “new life”.
In this process, as a general rule, the problem of housing is raised. Most victims find themselves in a fragile economic situation, incompatible with the values practiced in the free rental market, a condition that ends up compromising the process of autonomy and a safe life, far from the aggressor.
“It is within this logic of cooperation and proximity that we must respond to social problems. I believe that this response will significantly reduce the number of deaths from domestic violence, as it allows victims a safer and more dignified return to the community”, underlined the mayor Francisco Amaral.
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