APAV

What APAV does

APAV – Associação Portuguesa de Apoio à Vítima is a Portuguese non-profit organization founded on 25 June 1990 as a Private Institution of Social Solidarity (IPSS) with public utility status, headquartered in Lisbon with a secondary headquarters in Porto and a regional structure in the Azores. The organization provides free, confidential, multidisciplinary support — emotional, legal, psychological, social, and practical — to victims of crime and violence, their families, and friends, serving the general public regardless of crime type. Its service portfolio is delivered through a national network of approximately 87 proximity services: 21 local Gabinetes de Apoio à Vítima (GAV) offices, mobile teams (EMAV), five shelters (Casa ALCIPE, Casa SOPHIA, Casa Penélope, CAP Sul, CAP Alentejo), a national helpline (116 006), an Integrated Distance Support System (SIAD), and embedded offices inside DIAP courts in Braga, Faro, Setúbal, and Porto. Specialized sub-networks address distinct victim cohorts: APAV SAFE (foreign nationals, hate crime, trafficking), APAV CARE (children/youth sexual violence), APAV HOPE (homicide, terrorism, mass victimization), and APAV MAIS (elderly victims).

APAV's technology layer centers on PLAGA 2.0, an internal case management and interoperability platform integrating victim data across the proximity service network, complemented by the 24/7 APAV Chatbot, the Serviin video sign-language interpreter, the Linha Internet Segura (800 219 090), and the Infovitimas information portal. Supporting infrastructure includes the DGERT-certified Centro de Formação APAV training center (ISO 9001 since 2009), the Miscellanea APAV scientific journal, the APAV/Intercampus Barómetro research initiative, and the "Ao Lado das Vítimas" podcast.

The revenue model is multi-stream and donor-dependent. Primary funding flows through successive multi-year government protocols with the Ministries of Internal Administration, Justice, Labor and Social Solidarity, and Health, supplemented by EU CERV programme grants, individual donations (including 1% IRS tax designation), corporate partnerships with tax-deductible benefits, membership fees (€30 individual / €700 collective), court fine allocations, legacies and inheritances, and merchandise sales through the APAV Loja. All victim services are provided free of charge, so APAV is essentially a B2G/B2donor organization with no direct revenue from service users. Strategic leadership is held by President João Lázaro (in office since October 2012, also president of Victim Support Europe 2015–2018) and Secretary-General Carmen Rasquete (treasurer of Victim Support Europe since 2020/2021).

Name

APAV

Legal name

Associação Portuguesa de Apoio à Vítima

Website

https://apav.pt

Company type

Private

Founded year

1990

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

APAV is a Portuguese non-profit IPSS, founded 1990, providing free confidential multidisciplinary victim support across Portugal via 87 proximity services, a national helpline, shelters, and specialized networks for domestic violence, child, elderly, foreign, and trafficking victims.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Victim Support Services

NAICS

Individual and Family Services (6241), Social Assistance (624), Community Housing Services (62422), Human Rights Organizations (813311), Social Advocacy Organizations (8133), Other Individual and Family Services (624190)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Domestic Violence & Abuse Support Services (BPAGAEAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Protection, Child Protection & Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Response (BPAGAAAG), Mental Health & Crisis Support Services (BPAGACAD), Legal Aid & Client Advocacy Services (BPAGAEAM), Human Rights & Anti-Discrimination Organizations (BPAGAFAB)

Keywords

• Victim support services
• Crime victim assistance
• Domestic violence support
• Victim helpline services
• Trafficking victim shelter

Headquarters

HQ city

Lisbon

HQ country

Portugal

HQ region

Europe

Offices25 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Government Protocol Funding: Protocols with Portuguese Government ministries (Administração Interna, Justiça, Trabalho e Solidariedade Social, Saúde) providing annual funding and framework for collaboration. Funding covers 2005-2007, 2009-2011, 2012-2015, 2015-2018, 2018-2020 and continues with successive protocols.
2. Individual Donations: Regular or one-time donations from individuals via bank transfer, MB Way, Multibanco, PayPal, or recurring donation programs. IRS tax designation (1% of IRS) also available.
3. Corporate Partnerships and Sponsorships: Corporate donations with tax benefits under Portuguese law (up to 140% IRC deduction). Companies can adopt rooms or shelters, sponsor events, or provide goods/services.
4. Membership Fees: Annual membership fees: Individual members pay 30 EUR/year, collective members pay 700 EUR/year.
5. Merchandise Sales: Sale of solidarity products through APAV Store.
6. Court Fines Allocation: APAV receives allocation from court fines paid by convicted offenders.
7. Legacies and Inheritances: Citizens can designate APAV as beneficiary in wills for legacies and inheritances.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels9 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

APAV is a non-profit social solidarity institution providing free, confidential victim support services across Portugal to crime victims, their families and friends. The organization delivers emotional, legal, psychological, social, and practical assistance through 87 proximity services including 21 physical offices, mobile teams, shelter houses, and remote channels (helpline, chatbot, video sign language interpreter). It operates specialized networks for domestic violence victims, foreign nationals, trafficked persons, children, elderly victims, and homicide/terrorism survivors.

Product overview

APAV (Associação Portuguesa de Apoio à Vítima) is a private social solidarity institution providing a comprehensive ecosystem of victim support services across Portugal. The organization operates a multi-channel service delivery model combining physical proximity services (Gabinetes de Apoio à Vítima, Equipas Móveis) with remote support (Linha de Apoio à Vítima 116 006, Sistema Integrado de Apoio à Distância, Chatbot). The portfolio includes specialized networks for specific victim groups: APAV SAFE (foreign victims, hate crimes, human trafficking), APAV CARE (child sexual violence victims), APAV HOPE (homicide, terrorism, mass victimization), and APAV MAIS (elderly victims). Shelter services include Casas de Abrigo for domestic violence victims (ALCIPE, SOPHIA, PENÉLOPE) and Centros de Acolhimento e Proteção for human trafficking survivors (CAP Sul, CAP Alentejo). Supporting infrastructure includes the Centro de Formação (ISO 9001 certified), publications (Miscellanea APAV journal), the Infovítimas information portal, Barómetro research, and the Ao Lado das Vítimas podcast. The organization maintains national coverage through its headquarters in Lisbon and Porto, regional office in the Azores, and approximately 87 proximity services across the country.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Gabinetes de Apoio à Vítima (GAV) Local victim support offices providing free, confidential services to crime victims, their families and friends through qualified staff and volunteer networks. APAV operates 21 GAVs across Portugal as the primary community-based service delivery points.
• Linha de Apoio à Vítima (116 006) National victim support telephone hotline (116 006) providing free, confidential support to crime victims, operational daily from 8h to 23h.
• Sistema Integrado de Apoio à Distância (SIAD) Integrated distance support system combining the victim support hotline, Safe Internet Line (800 219 090), online support through social media, video calls, and sign language interpreter service (Serviin) for nationwide remote victim assistance.
• Equipas Móveis de Apoio à Vítima (EMAV) Mobile victim support teams providing itinerant, community-based support services in partnership with municipalities across various regions of Portugal.
• APAV SAFE - Apoio a Vítimas Estrangeiras, de Crimes de Ódio e de Tráfico Specialized unit providing support to non-Portuguese nationals, immigrants, refugees, asylum seekers, and tourists who are victims of crime, as well as victims of human trafficking, hate crimes, discrimination and harmful traditional practices (FGM, forced marriage, honour crimes).
• APAV CARE - Apoio a Crianças e Jovens Vítimas de Violência Sexual Specialized network supporting children and youth victims of sexual violence, their families and friends, with specialized procedures and collaboration with partners including PJ, INEM, CNPDPCJ and INMLCF.
• APAV HOPE - Apoio a Vítimas de Homicídio, Terrorismo e Vitimação em Massa Specialized national response adapting APAV's intervention model combining practical, social, psychological and legal support for victims, families and friends affected by homicide (attempted or completed), terrorism and mass victimization.
• APAV MAIS - Apoio a Pessoas Idosas Vítimas de Violência e de Crime Specialized unit focused on improving support procedures for elderly victims, enhancing response strategies to their specific needs, based in Braga with operational coverage across national proximity services.
• Casas de Abrigo APAV Temporary residential accommodation for women victims of domestic violence and their children. Includes Casa de Abrigo ALCIPE, Casa de Abrigo SOPHIA, and Casa de Acolhimento de Emergência PENÉLOPE for emergency situations.
• Centros de Acolhimento e Proteção APAV Reception and protection centers for victims of human trafficking: CAP Sul for women and children in the Algarve region, and CAP Alentejo for men and their children.
• Centro de Formação APAV Training center providing professional development courses for internal staff and external professionals in justice, education, social solidarity and health sectors. DGERT certified across multiple education fields and ISO 9001 certified since 2009.
• APAV Açores - Comissão Regional dos Açores Regional structure with technical, administrative and financial autonomy coordinating all APAV activities in the Autonomous Region of the Azores.
• Chatbot APAV Automated chatbot available online 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, providing initial support and information to crime victims.
• Podcast APAV | Ao Lado das Vítimas Podcast series featuring conversations and stories alongside crime victims, providing outreach and awareness content.
• Barómetro APAV Intercampus Periodic research initiative conducted with Intercampus university partners to monitor and analyze victim support trends and needs.
• Miscellanea APAV Scientific and reflection journal publishing articles on crime victims and victim support topics, promoting knowledge sharing between APAV's practical procedures and academic institutions.
• Infovítimas Online portal providing comprehensive information for crime victims about how the criminal justice system works, victims' rights and how to exercise them, including an inclusive version for accessibility.
• Linha Internet Segura Safe Internet Hotline (800 219 090) coordinated by APAV since January 2019, providing support and reporting channels for online safety issues.
• Canal de Denúncias APAV Secure, confidential reporting channel for reporting violations under Law 93/2021, with full protection against retaliation.

Quantifiable outcome

• 50,495 female victims assisted 2022-2025 (+22.8%)
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability2 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• INHOPEcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 January 2019APAV joined INHOPE, a global network of reporting services for combating online child sexual abuse, on January 30, 2019. Coordinates Linha Internet Segura and Linha Alerta as part of this international effort.
• Victim Support EuropecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 October 2015APAV President João Lázaro was elected president of Victim Support Europe in 2015 and re-elected in 2018. Carmen Rasquete, Secretary General, was elected Treasurer in 2020. APAV actively participates in European victim support network.
• DomusSocialminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 November 2008Collaboration agreement signed November 7, 2008 for space allocation to install Porto headquarters services.
• Portuguese Government MinistriescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 March 1998First Protocol with Portuguese Government (Ministries of Internal Administration, Justice, and Labor/Solidarity) signed March 10, 1998 for 1998-2002. Subsequent protocols signed 2005, 2009, 2012, 2015, and 2018. Provides framework for collaboration, objectives, financial support, and accountability mechanisms.
• 27 Founding AssociatescoreOthers · 25 June 1990APAV was founded by 27 associates who established the organization on June 25, 1990. These founding members continue to be represented in the Council of Founding Associates which provides guidance on internal policy matters.
• Courts (DIAP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAPAV has victim support offices within DIAP courts (Department of Investigation and Criminal Action) in Braga, Faro, Setúbal, and Porto, providing in-court support to victims.
• Police ForcescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAPAV collaborates with police forces for victim referral, protection, and coordinated response to domestic violence and other crimes.
• Instituto de Segurança SocialcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment social security institute that provides funding and framework for shelter services (Casas de Abrigo) and specialized services including APAV CARE.
• MunicipalitiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAPAV works with municipalities across Portugal for mobile victim support teams (EMAV), office space, and local coordination of services.
• Universities and Research InstitutionscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAPAV collaborates with universities for research projects, student internships, and academic publications. Long tradition of cooperation documented in Miscellanea APAV journal and numerous joint research projects.
• APF (Associação para o Planeamento da Família)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPreviously partnered with APF for CAP Alentejo shelter for male trafficking victims before APAV took over management in March 2024.
• CARE Project Partners (PJ, INEM, CNPDPCJ, INMLCF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAPAV CARE network works closely with PJ (Judicial Police), INEM, CNPDPCJ (National Commission for Child Protection), and INMLCF (National Institute of Legal Medicine) for child sexual abuse victim referral and support.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves13 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• National Domestic Violence Hotline: US national 24/7 hotline and resource hub for domestic violence victims. Closely mirrors APAV's Linha de Apoio à Vítima (116 006) and Chatbot APAV in operating model and free, confidential access.
• Refuge: UK charity operating a national helpline, network of refuges, and specialist services for women and children experiencing domestic violence. Closely mirrors APAV's ALCIPE/SOPHIA/Penélope shelter model and domestic-violence specialization.
• Safe Horizon: New York-based victim services nonprofit offering hotlines, shelters, counseling, and criminal justice advocacy. Multi-program portfolio (domestic violence, sexual assault, trafficking, youth) is directly analogous to APAV's SAFE/CARE/HOPE/MAIS structure.
• RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network): Largest US anti-sexual-violence organization, operating the National Sexual Assault Hotline and victim support programs. Comparable to APAV's CARE network and its focus on trauma-informed, confidential victim support.
• Women's Aid: UK federation of domestic violence services coordinating refuges, outreach, and policy advocacy. Comparable to APAV in its blended service-delivery, policy-influence, and federal coordination role.
• Victim Support (UK): The UK's largest independent victim support charity, providing emotional and practical support to victims of crime via a national helpline and local offices. Highly comparable in service portfolio, multi-channel delivery model, and free-to-user offering.

Regional players

• Victim Support Australia: Australia's national victim support organization offering free counseling, advocacy, and information services. Comparable delivery model and funding mix (government grants + fundraising) but in a distinct geography.
• Victim Support Scotland: Scotland's national victim support charity, structurally and operationally analogous to APAV but serving a different UK jurisdiction. Useful as a like-for-like peer for benchmarking scale and impact.

Broad incumbents

• Victim Support Europe: European umbrella federation of victim support organizations, currently chaired by APAV's president. Functions as a broader industry body rather than direct service provider, but is the closest pan-European institutional counterpart.

Others

• INHOPE: Global network of hotlines combating online child sexual abuse material, of which APAV is a member and operator of Linha Internet Segura. Functions as an ecosystem/standards body rather than a service competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/APAVportugal
• Facebookfacebook.com/APAV.Portugal
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/apav/?originalSubdomain=pt
• Instagraminstagram.com/apav_online
• TikToktiktok.com/@apav_online
• Xx.com/APAV_Online

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about APAV