embassy programs

2009 

U.S. Speaker Shares American Experience on Developing Advocacy Groups to Address Domestic Violence

Univ. Minho Psychology students exchanging views with Susie Johnson  (Photo: Maryann McKay, US Embassy)

Oct. 14/16 - At the invitation of U.S. Embassy Lisbon’s Office of Public Affairs, the Head of the Washington Office of Public Policy for the Women’s Division of the General Board of Global Ministries, United Methodist Church, Susie M. Johnson toured several cities in Portugal to advocate the need to empower victims of domestic violence and expand grassroots campaigns and community initiatives.

In a country registering an increase in cases despite national campaigns, targeted audiences included Psychology students at University of Minho, in Braga; nurses in Lisbon; as well as NGOs, police agents, lawyers and volunteers up in Porto.

Ms. Johnson also drew the attention of several media, having given interviews to online broadcaster Porto Canal; Portuguese wire service Lusa and women’s magazine Máxima.

The success of her visit to Portugal can also be measured through the number of participants working the field, who approached her at the end of her presentations, soliciting further information and exchanging contacts with the speaker for future follow-up on issues like community support groups, legislation or overall US policy.