The government is proposing legislative changes to enhance the role of victim and witness testimonies in domestic violence cases, aiming to improve the effectiveness of criminal responses and reduce case dismissals. Justice Minister Rita Alarcão Júdice emphasizes the importance of these reforms, which include standardizing the collection of statements for future reference, particularly for vulnerable victims like children. Even if victims do not testify at trial, their prior statements will be treated as valid evidence. The proposal follows a report from the Superior Council of the Judiciary and has garnered support from the Portuguese Association for Victim Support (APAV), which advocates for improved victim rights and a gender perspective in judicial decisions. The government claims it has the necessary resources to implement these changes and is working to expand support networks for victims of violence.