Respeito

Who we are

Respeito is the only organisation in the UK dedicated to preventing and reducing domestic abuse in the Portuguese-speaking community. 

We support survivors and vulnerable individuals from Portugal (and the Islands of Madeira and Azores), Brazil, Latin America, and African countries with Portuguese as the official language i.e. Angola, Mozambique, Cape Verde, Sao Tome and Principe, Guinea- Bissau and Equatorial Guinea. 

Our services are free of charge and offered in the mother language for any Portuguese-speaking individual (+18) regardless of their nationality, age, gender or gender identity, disability, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or faith within our cultural diversity.

Our culture and values

Respeito is based on the principles of Equality, Human Rights and Social Integration and we are committed to unrestricted equity, diversity and inclusion in all circumstances. Fighting against domestic abuse is fighting for equality. 

The Portuguese-speaking community is described as law-abiding, hard-working, respectful, family-orientated, entrepreneurial and ‘joyful’. They have a shared love of food and conviviality and a strong religious commitment. However, sections of the Portuguese-speaking community are at a great disadvantage due to a range of complex factors such as socio-economic, education, language barriers and limited cultural understanding of the community they live in. This section of the community is at greater risk of health and wellbeing inequalities.

Domestic abuse consistently has been identified in all the research carried out as an issue for the Portuguese-speaking community. Due to language barriers and the stigma attached to domestic abuse many people experiencing it do not get the information and support they need, perpetuating the cycle of abuse.  After months of consultation with community leaders and survivors of domestic abuse, we were moved to act and formed Respeito. We aim to break the barriers and fill the gap in the provision of targeted services.

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Equality, diversity and inclusion policy

Our mission: To reduce and prevent domestic abuse in the Portuguese-speaking community living in the UK.

Our Vision: To support, empower, inform and enable Portuguese-speaking families and individuals in the UK to build safer and happier lives, one person at a time.