“We are united here today in an exercise of pure citizenship. We are trying to mobilise people around a common cause in favour of the victims and against violence”, said Joana Marques, one of the organisers, stressing that the organisation was not connected “with any political party, union or association”.


The marchers led with a black banner bearing phrases such as “The victim is not to blame, the perpetrator is”, “Violence is the weapon of the mediocre” and “A person who beats someone, attacks all of society”.
According to the Portuguese Observatory of Assassinated Women, nine women have been killed in domestic violence since the beginning of the year.


A total of 28 women were murdered last year.


On Thursday, the government announced it was setting up domestic violence victim support offices in the police criminal investigation departments and bolstering the articulation and cooperation among security forces, magistrates and organisations that work on prevention and fighting domestic violence.