In 2025, APAV recorded 35,341 crimes and other forms of violence, which represents an increase of 13.1% compared to 2024, according to figures released this Thursday, February 19. In the same period, 111,854 consultations were recorded, 5.8% more than in the previous year. The number of victims treated reached 18,549, representing an increase of 11.5% compared to 2024. Reading the evolution over the last five years reinforces the upward trend: between 2020 and 2025, the number of victims treated increased by 41.7%.
The typology of crimes and forms of violence monitored by the association continues to be dominated by domestic violence, with 26,124 (73.9%). The following are situations associated with sexual abuse of minors, with 1076 (3%), offenses against physical integrity, with 889 (2.5%), sexual abuse of children, with 864 (2.4%), and threats/coercion, with 858 (2.4%) are the main ones.
The general profile of victims supported shows a female prevalence, maintaining the trend: female (75.5%), with an average age of 37 years. In the relationship between aggressor and victim, spouses (14.6%) and mother/father (13%) stand out. By gender, among crimes and forms of violence, domestic violence stands out again (73.9%), followed by sexual abuse of minors (3%). APAV also presents averages that measure the daily pressure of the phenomenon: 18,549 per year, or two per hour.
In age and social categories, the association identifies its own patterns. Among elderly victims, females remain dominant (75.7%) and the average age rises to 76 years. The connection with the aggressor arises mainly through children (35.1%) and spouse (22.3%), while the most frequent crimes and forms of violence are domestic violence (81.2%) and threats/coercion (3.4%). Among children and young victims, females represent 58.1% and the average age is 10 years. The relationship with the aggressor points mainly to father/mother (42.6%) and stepfather/stepmother (7.7%); and the most common crimes and forms of violence are domestic violence (60.4%) and child sexual abuse content (14.5%).
Among adult male victims, the average age is 48 years old, with emphasis on the aggressor-victim relationship for spouse (12.7%) and child (9.7%). The violence reported is mostly domestic violence (65.5%), followed by attacks on physical integrity (6.9%).
In the group of adult female victims, the APAV points to 10,327 years (28 per day). with average age: 45 years. As for the aggressor, spouses (20%) and ex-partners (14.2%) stand out; and, in crimes and forms of violence, domestic violence dominates (85.8%), followed by threat/coercion (2.4%).
The territorial distribution shows that the victims treated come from 92% of the national territory. Lisbon comes first, with 3,837, which means an increase of more than 14.7% compared to the homologue. Faro follows, with 3,095 victims supported (1.7% increase), and Porto, with 2010 (2.7% increase). Despite this, the biggest percentage jump appears in Viana do Castelo, with 153 victims supported, corresponding to an increase of 43%.
The data also reveals how support is triggered. The most used type of contact is telephone (49.2%), followed by email (31%), in-person (16.8%) and another type of contact (3%). As for referral to APAV, self-initiative predominates (47.9%), but there is also referral by the Court and Public Prosecutor’s Office (15%) and by the Criminal Police Body (13.9%), in addition to other referrals (23.2%). The location of the crime/violence mainly points to the domestic sphere: common residence (49.6%) and the victim’s residence (14.4%), followed by public roads (9.6%).
In 2025, national statistics indicate a simultaneous increase in the extent of the phenomenon and in the demand for support, with domestic violence remaining as the most significant nucleus, presenting profiles and patterns of victimization that vary considerably between children, the elderly, men and women.
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