Dili, March 25, 2025 (Média Democracia) – The Women and Children Legal Aid Institute (ALFELA) as an institution that provides legal assistance for women and children who are victims of gender-based violence. In 2025, ALFELA has recorded 112 cases of domestic violence, in addition ALFELA has also provided legal assistance to victims (women and children). This was conveyed by ALFELA Executive Director, Marcelina Amaral to journalists after attending the Inter-Ministerial Commission meeting at the Maria Goreti Hall, S.E.I., on Monday.
Executive Director, Marcelina Amaral informed that in 2025, from January to March, ALFELA recorded 112 cases of domestic violence.
“Since January to March this year, we have provided legal assistance to 112 women and child victims, 111 women victims and 1 male victim (young boy),” said ALFELA Executive Director, Marcelina Amaral.
She emphasized that the cases brought by ALFELA and the team to the Ministry of Public Works, were mostly cases of Domestic Violence accompanied by Sexual Violence and Molestation against minorities.
“Of these cases, almost all of them have been submitted to the Ministry of Public Works, one has been tried at the new center, so we are also present to accompany the victims in the trial process and verdicts, which amount to 22 cases, the largest of which is Domestic Violence, which is related to sexual violence against minorities,” She said.
She said that the cases handled by ALFELA were mostly in three municipalities, such as Dili, Baucau and RAEOA, but also included other municipalities.
“We handle these cases from the municipality and RAEOA, the highest is Dili, next is Baucau and third is Oe-cusse, next is Bobonaro municipality. We look at the existing regional court decisions, to see the number at that time every month Dili is always the highest followed by Baucau and RAEOA.” She said
She added that the cases that ALFELA responded to were cases of gender-based violence against women and children.
“As I said before, especially related to domestic violence, sexual violence and also including sexual harassment against minorities, while we do not provide legal aid for land disputes, when there are cases like this faced by women,” She continued.
In addition, ALFELA’s work focuses more on providing legal assistance to victims who experience domestic violence, general crimes, sexual violence and sexual abuse as well as victim assistance from the Ministry of Home Affairs to the courts.
Reported by : Estefania
Picture by : Estefania