A total of 27 women have been killed since the beginning of this year, which is 14 fewer than during the same period of last year.
According to new data from the independent watchdog Observatory for Murdered Women (OMA), the majority were stabbed to death or shot and killed by their husbands or partners.
A further 33 women were victims of attempted murder in the same period, from 1 January to 20 November, according to the report released by the observatory, an offshoot of the Alternative and Response Union of Women (UMAR).
Although the total number of murders is 14 fewer than last year, the report says that it is not possible to affirm that “femicide is on a downward trend”, given that in the past 11 years 426 women were murdered and 497 were victims of attempted murder.
“In reality, this type of crime against women, and in particular in present or past intimate relationships, maintains a stability, countering the downward trend seen in Portugal in homicide practised in other contexts,” it stresses.
Based on this year’s figures, the observatory concludes that on average each month “six women see an attempt on their lives, principally by people with whom they maintained a relationship of intimacy.”
Provisional figures from the PSP police go some way towards sustaining an apparent drop in domestic violence, indicating that between January and November 2015 the number of cases reported in Portugal fell by 1.7 percent in relation to last year.
Overall, according to the PSP’s figures, there were fewer situations reported, fewer injuries reported and fewer children witnessing such crimes.
Both sets of information were released on Wednesday, 25 November, to mark International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.
Over the past 12 months the PSP has reinforced its services to help the victims of domestic violence, such as its daily contact with known victims, patrolling residences, and the chaperoning of victims.
From Monday this week the force has also increased its awareness-raising campaigns as well as individual contact with victims as part of national operation ‘Violence stays Outside’.
The mobilisation of around one thousand officers from all over the country as part of the operation ended on Friday.