According to the office of the Secretary of State for Citizenship and Equality, the Portuguese authorities signalled 203 situations of human trafficking (TSH) in the country in 2018.


In a note issued on the European Day to Combat Human Trafficking, Rosa Monteiro’s office states that the Government has devoted “special attention to this reality”, namely in terms of prevention and intervention with victims of TSH.


According to the note, the country has five Regional Specialised Multidisciplinary Teams (EME), managed by the Family Planning Association (APF), which are assumed as an instrument for protection and intervention with victims, namely through technical support in police operations, in the processes of signalling, identification and integration of victims of TSH, as well as in training for strategic audiences.


In Portugal, there are currently five Reception and Protection Centres (PAC), two directed exclusively at women, two for men and one for children, created in July 2018, totalling 38 places.


The note from the office of the Secretary of State for Citizenship and Equality also states that the PAC for children and the second PAC for men, which has been in operation since last August, respond to international recommendations, and there is still an apartment in Matosinhos empowering victims of human trafficking.


Rosa Monteiro’s office also says that the global investment in the area of prevention and combating TSH amounts to €2 million in the last four years, and is part of projects in the areas of awareness, reception, training and production of materials.