There are dozens of cases of sexual abuse in hospitals throughout Portugal. In this project, journalists investigate the extent of the problem, realizing that there has been frequent situations of mistreatment, verbal and sexual abuse, and rape.
The law is often not followed when it comes to treating victims, either because of staff misinformation or of scarce hospital resources. For example, victims are not informed of their rights or how or where to get help, and there’s medical staff neglect. The law also says victims have six months to present charges. Psychologists say this deadline doesn’t fit the trauma’s evolution.
In addition, Portuguese society is still very patriarchal and often sees a woman as shameful and somehow guilty for what happened to her.
