This country profile presents the administrative data collected in Portugal during the 2023–2024 data collection exercise with the support of national data providers and national researchers.
The list of 13 indicators developed by the European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE) for the purposes of this data collection exercise is presented in Annex 1.
The data collected in other countries and the methodological report are published in EIGE’s Gender Statistics Database.
Key findings of EIGE’s 2023–2024 data collection exercise
The figure below outlines the main findings from EIGE’s most recent administrative data collection exercise on intimate partner violence and domestic violence in Portugal.
FIGURE 1Main findings
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Victims of domestic violence
- In 2022, women comprised 83 % of victims of domestic violence committed by intimate partners.
- In the same year, women comprised 80 % of victims of domestic violence more broadly.
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Femicide
- Between 2014 and 2022, 83 % of victims of intimate partner homicide recorded by police were women.
- In the same period, women comprised 75 % of victims of domestic homicide recorded by police.
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Rape
- 92 % of victims of rape committed by any perpetrator are women (according to data from 2022).
- In 2022, police recorded 250 women victims of rape committed by any perpetrator.
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Perpetrators of domestic violence
- In 2022, 23,141 men were reported for domestic violence against women.
- In 2021, 3,770 men were prosecuted for domestic violence against total victims, while 2,132 were sentenced and 874 were held in prison for these crimes.
Domestic violence between intimate partners
EIGE defines intimate partner violence as ‘any act of physical, sexual, psychological, or economic violence that occurs between former or current spouses or partners, whether or not the perpetrator shares or has shared the same residence with the victim’.
In Portugal, no legal definition of intimate partner violence exists, as it is considered a form of domestic violence. However, sex-disaggregated data is available on domestic violence between former and current spouses and partners (with or without cohabitation).
Victims of domestic violence committed by intimate partners
In Portugal, women represent most victims of domestic violence committed by intimate partners (83 % in 2022). In 2022, police recorded 16,397 women victims of domestic violence committed by intimate partners.
Figure 2 Annual number of female and total victims of domestic violence committed by intimate partners (Indicator 1), 2014-2022
Victims of specific forms of domestic violence committed by intimate partners
During EIGE’s 2023-2024 data collection exercise, national data providers in Portugal shared data on victims of physical, psychological, sexual, and economic domestic violence committed by intimate partners (Indicators 4-7).
Figure 3 Annual number of female and total victims of physical, psychological, sexual, and economic domestic violence committed by intimate partners (Indicators 4-7), 2014-2022
Domestic violence
EIGE defines domestic violence as ‘all acts of physical, sexual, psychological or economic violence that occur within the family or domestic unit, irrespective of biological or legal family ties, or between former or current spouses or partners, whether or not the perpetrator shares or has shared the same residence as the victim’.
In Portugal, Article 152 of the Penal Code criminalises domestic violence. It outlines penalties for any person who inflicts physical or psychological abuse, deprivation of liberty and sexual offences on a current or former spouse or partner (with or without cohabitation), a parent, or a person who is vulnerable due to age, disability, illness, pregnancy or economic dependence that cohabitates with the perpetrator.
Victims of domestic violence
According to the latest data, 80 % of victims of domestic violence in Portugal are women. In 2022, 24,737 women victims of domestic violence were recorded by police. The following data on domestic violence includes violence between intimate partners.
Figure 4 Annual number of female and total victims of domestic violence (Indicator 1), 2014-2022
The police data recorded in Portugal sheds light on the extent to which women suffer from domestic violence. Findings of the EU-GBV survey also show that, during adulthood, 12 % of women have experienced physical violence (including threats) or sexual violence by a domestic perpetrator.
Victims of specific forms of domestic violence
As part of EIGE’s 2023-2024 data collection exercise, national data providers in Portugal shared data on the annual number of victims of physical, psychological, sexual, and economic domestic violence recorded by police (Indicators 4-7).
Figure 5 Annual number of female and total victims of physical, psychological, sexual, and economic domestic violence (Indicators 4-7), 2014-2022
Femicide: Number of women killed
EIGE defines femicide as ‘killing of women and girls because of their gender’. It is the most severe manifestation of gender-based violence. EIGE’s femicide classification framework distinguishes between killings committed by intimate partners and family members and other forms of femicide, which are less common.
There is no legal definition of femicide in Portugal. However, data is available on women victims of homicide by an intimate partner or a domestic perpetrator.
Women are disproportionately affected by homicide committed by intimate partners and domestic perpetrators
Between 2014 and 2022, women represented 83 % of victims of homicide committed by intimate partners that were recorded by police (44 out of 53 victims).
During this same period, 75 % of victims killed by domestic perpetrators were also women (48 out of 64).
Figure 6 Proportion of female victims of homicide committed by intimate partners and domestic perpetrators (Indicator 9), 2014-2022
Number of women victims of homicide
The following figure presents the annual number of female victims of homicide committed by intimate partners and domestic perpetrators between 2014-2022.
Figure 7 Annual number of female victims of homicide committed by intimate partners and domestic perpetrators (Indicator 9), 2014-2022
Rape: Number of women victims
EIGE defines rape as ‘sexual penetration, whether vaginal, anal or oral, through the use of object or body parts, without consent, using force, coercion or by taking advantage of the vulnerability of the victim’.
In Portugal, rape is criminalised under Article 164 of the Penal Code. It occurs when a person is forced to engage in sexual intercourse through violence, serious threats, or because they were rendered unconscious or are unable to resist.
EIGE’s findings show that almost all victims rape in Portugal are women. In 2022, 250 women victims of rape committed by any perpetrator were recorded by police. Women represented almost all (92 %) of rape victims during the year (250 out of 272).
Figure 8 Annual number of female and total victims of rape in any relationship (Indicator 8), 2014-2022
Perpetrators of violence
Perpetrators are defined as ‘persons brought into formal contact with the police and suspected/arrested or cautioned for a criminal offence’.
Most of EIGE’s indicators collect data on all perpetrators (including male and female perpetrators). However, the data for indicators 3 and 11–13 (on perpetrators reported, prosecuted, sentenced and held in prison) refers strictly to male perpetrators.
Perpetrators of domestic violence against intimate partners
In 2022, 15,733 men were reported to police for domestic violence against women intimate partners. During the year, 96 % of men reported for domestic violence against intimate partners had committed violence against women (15,733 out of 16,429).
Figure 9 Annual number of male perpetrators reported for domestic violence against female and total intimate partners (2014-2022)
Perpetrators of domestic violence
EIGE’s data also shows that 23,141 men were reported for domestic violence against women in 2022. During the year, 92 % of men reported for domestic violence had committed violence against women (23,141 out of 25,176). The data below includes men reported for violence against intimate partners.
Figure 10 Annual number of male perpetrators reported for domestic violence against female and total victims (2014-2022)
Data is also available on the number of men brought to justice for domestic violence. In 2021, 3,770 men were prosecuted for domestic violence against total victims (i.e., including both female and male victims). In the same year, fewer were sentenced (2,132), and held in prison (874) for their crimes.
Figure 11 Annual number of male perpetrators prosecuted, sentenced, and held in prison for domestic violence against total victims (2014-2022)
Although the conviction of violent perpetrators is important to ensure justice for victims, the judicial process can be stressful and traumatic for those victimised. Findings from the EU-GBV survey reveal, while most women victims of violence in Portugal were aware of the existence of support services (95 %), less than two thirds (61 %) were aware of the existence of free legal aid.
Free legal aid is vital for victims as it removes financial barriers and empowers them to act. Legal representatives often coordinate with other services and help secure long-term solutions like custody arrangements and financial independence, reducing the risk of revictimisation and aiding in the recovery process. Thus, it is crucial that victims have access to legal guidance during criminal proceedings.
Summary of data availability and next steps
Findings from EIGE’s 2023-2024 data collection exercise in Portugal underscore the persistent threat of domestic violence to the safety and well-being of women and girls.
The collection of robust administrative data on intimate partner violence and domestic violence is essential to ensure effective policymaking, resource allocation, and the development of targeted interventions to support victims and prevent further violence.
EIGE’s research shows that, in Portugal, police data is widely available on victims of domestic violence. EIGE also managed to retrieve data on victims of specific forms of domestic violence, including physical, psychological, sexual, and economic violence.
Although a legal definition of femicide does not exist in Portugal, data is available on victims of homicide committed by intimate partners and domestic perpetrators. Data has been shared on victims of rape committed by any perpetrator. However, data on victims of rape committed specifically by intimate partners or domestic perpetrators is not available in Portugal.
Justice sector data is even more limited. Data is not available on protection orders for victims of violence. While data was shared on men reported and convicted for domestic violence, the data on men convicted does not relate specifically to women victims.
In May 2024, the EU adopted Directive (EU) 2024/1385 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 May 2024 on combating violence against women and domestic violence. Article 44 establishes that Member States must work with EIGE to collect administrative data on these forms of violence and must adhere to common standards. EIGE remains committed to supporting Member States in their efforts to collect comprehensive, reliable data on violence against women and domestic violence.
Further details on the data collected during EIGE’s 2023–2024 data collection exercise are available in EIGE’s Gender Statistics Database and on its website.
Annexes
Annex 1: List of EIGE’s 13 indicators on intimate partner violence and domestic violence