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Law on Domestic Violence a Step Forward for Women’s Rights
"For many victims they are trapped and unable to report their problems because they are financially dependent on their abuser. Now, they can contact the police and know that they won’t be left vulnerable,"
- Suzana Mendes, member of the Angolan Forum of Women Journalists
Domestically abused women who are financially dependent on their abusers can now report the crime with the assurance that they will be able to get financial and medical support from the state, thanks to the country’s new law on domestic violence.
Women’s campaigners have welcomed the introduction of the new law, which was signed into the statue books on Jul. 8, and which criminalises domestic violence and offers protection to victims and their families.
Until now domestic violence had not been illegal in Angola – and on the rare occasions it reached court, it was prosecuted under rape, assault and battery laws.