Latest news and stories about child protection in Portugal for expats and residents.
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Organisations condemn the “conscious failure of political decision-makers” in the Union to detect this type of content.
Rules approved in 2021 had been in force since 2022 while more permanent solutions were being negotiated. Without an agreement, there will be no rules in place as of April 3rd.
An exemption to a privacy protection law that allowed for the detection of child sexual abuse material on the internet expires in April, after the Council of the EU and the European Parliament failed to reach an agreement to extend it.
The Ministry of Education is investigating reports that nearly 80 schools were visited by digital influencers linked to adult content during student association campaigns over the last two years. The investigation follows media reports revealing weaknesses in school management bodies that allowed these individuals to participate in student activities. Parents should be aware that the government has announced new guidelines to prohibit any school activities that contradict educational values.
The victim was threatened by the abuser with the disclosure of the sexual acts they had engaged in. The suspect was arrested by the Portimão Judicial Police.
In an opinion signed by the Inspector-General of Education and Science, the Ministry reminds schools that the use of school spaces or facilities may only be permitted to individuals and activities that comply with and respect the law, amid concerns regarding influencers and the sexualisation of children.
The perpetrator took advantage of his proximity to the victim and the authority he held over her as the leader of the dance group the child attended.
The head of the Alberto Sampaio School Group says that as soon as he became aware of the situation the employee was immediately suspended, leaving the full clarification of the matter to the authorities.
The Public Prosecutor's Office accuses all the alleged perpetrators of jointly committing an aggravated rape and also of 27 counts of child pornography for filming and sharing videos of the sexual abuse.
On Monday, the PSD submitted to parliament a bill to curb free access to social media and other platforms for children up to the age of 16, making parental or legal guardian consent mandatory. The bill, which aims to establish “measures to protect children in digital environments”, is sponsored by ...
Today the PSD submitted to Parliament a bill to curb unrestricted access by children up to the age of 16 to social media and other platforms, requiring the consent of their parents or legal guardians.
The bill aims to establish “measures to protect children in digital environments”.
The proposal to restrict access to social media for people under 16, which is expected to be easily approved, is a common-sense and, in many respects, inevitable measure. Editorial by Helena Pereira
The PSD will submit a bill proposing age verification at social media account creation to enforce a ban on under-13s and restrict access for under-16s. The measure, described as sensible and largely inevitable in an editorial, aims to protect children and reduce pressures such as the pursuit of likes, though it raises practical enforcement and privacy concerns about verification methods.
The complaint was made by the victim to the school's psychologist.
According to authorities, the incidents took place in the summer of 2025 at the suspect's residence.
Funding of one million euros has already been secured and the centres should bring several services together in a single location. By September, a free helpline to support victims of violence should be in operation.
Nuno Pardal Ribeiro, a former Chega official, begins trial today in Cascais accused of using minors for prostitution. The Public Prosecutor's Office wants him barred from holding positions that involve contact with young people.
The state seeks to protect minors' emotional development.
“He admitted that he spoke loudly and grabbed the child's arm as a way of correcting their behaviour [in the classroom] so they would pay attention, but denied any slaps,” the lawyer said.
The Judicial Police say that, taking advantage of the influence he had over the victim, the suspect “subjected her to abusive sexual acts, increasing in severity and frequency, from the age of 10” until she turned 14.
The 65-year-old defendant was given a suspended sentence at first instance.
Investigators arrested a man who had a 10-year prison sentence to serve for sexual abuse of minors.
The Polícia Judiciária has arrested a swimming instructor suspected of sexually abusing two children, aged seven and eleven.
