Protecting the Next Generation From Domestic Violence

Changing attitudes in Portugal on this urgent human rights issue

Claudia Fernandes is taking a stand against domestic violence in Porto, Portugal. More than 450 women have been killed in Portugal through domestic violence over the past 12 years. In 2016, the country registered 22,773 cases of domestic violence—the equivalent of 14 incidents per day. And a 2014 report by the European Institute for Gender Equality found 24 percent of women in Portugal had experienced violence.

In 2016, Fernandes began targeting this issue with the Youth for Human Rights educational initiative in private schools. Then the city gave her the green light to educate teachers and have them implement the program so all Porto children will know their human rights.

She has found that introducing students to the 30 rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and making sure they understand them can change their fundamental attitudes about how to treat others.

To learn more about her campaign, visit the Scientology Newsroom.