Sexual violence — APAV · Portugal

Direct answer

Whatever happened and whenever it happened, help is available without any obligation to report. APAV / Centros de crise para vítimas de violência sexual (116 006) is the specialised centre or helpline for Portugal: medical care, evidence collection you can decide about later, emergency contraception and PEP within 72 hours, and someone who believes you — free and confidential. Queixa Eletrónica — PSP / GNR (queixaselectronicas.mai.gov.pt) if you want to report or are in danger; you can have a support person with you. Serviço de Informação a Vítimas de Violência Doméstica — 800 202 148 (800 202 148) supports you through everything that follows, at your pace.

Call firstAPAV / Centros de crise para vítimas de violência sexual

Report toQueixa Eletrónica — PSP / GNR

If that failsServiço de Informação a Vítimas de Violência Doméstica — 800 202 148

🗣️ What to say

"Something happened to me [today / on date] and I need help. I am not sure yet whether I want to report it. I would like medical care and to know my options."

🪜 Step by step

Safe and not aloneA friend, a neighbour, the helpline. Nothing has to be decided tonight except your safety.
Medical care within 72 hoursFor prevention (PEP, emergency contraception) and, if you choose, evidence collection. Try not to wash or change clothes before, but care comes first either way.
Talk to APAV / Centros de crise para vítimas de violência sexualThey explain reporting without pressure and can store evidence while you decide.
If you report: Queixa Eletrónica — PSP / GNRYou can bring a support person and ask for a specialised officer. The statement can be recorded once.
Afterwards: Serviço de Informação a Vítimas de Violência Doméstica — 800 202 148Counselling, legal help, compensation from the state fund — all free for victims.

📇 All contacts

APAV / Centros de crise para vítimas de violência sexualSupport after sexual violenceAnytime, no obligation to report📞 116 006 🔗 apav.pt

Queixa Eletrónica — PSP / GNROnline criminal complaint, case number immediatelyAlways — the basis for bank, insurer and platform🔗 queixaselectronicas.mai.gov.pt

Serviço de Informação a Vítimas de Violência Doméstica — 800 202 148Free, 24/7, sheltersDomestic violence📞 800 202 148 🔗 www.cig.gov.pt

Segurança Social — apoio judiciário / Ordem dos AdvogadosFree lawyer below the income thresholdWhen you cannot afford a lawyer🔗 www.seg-social.pt/protecao-juridica

❓ Frequently asked

It happened years ago

Help and counselling are available regardless; limitation periods for reporting are long and in many countries do not run for minors until adulthood.

I knew the person / I had been drinking

None of that changes what it was or your rights. Consent cannot be given when incapacitated.

Will I have to face them in court?

Special measures — video testimony, screens, no direct questioning by the accused — are standard for these cases. Serviço de Informação a Vítimas de Violência Doméstica — 800 202 148 arranges it.

📎 Sources

Last checked: 2026-09-26

🔎 Common searches

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“sexual assault help Portugal”
“rape crisis centre Portugal”
“sexual violence helpline”
“report sexual assault police support”
“emergency care after assault”

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