On World Youth Day there will be a mobile team and a support center for victims

As part of World Youth Day (WYD), Lisbon will have a mobile group and a support center for victims, according to the protocol signed this Thursday, which provides for the training of volunteers for the largest meeting of youth with the Pope.

The protocol was signed in Lisbon between the JMJ Lisboa 2023 Foundation and the Association for the Support of Victims (APAV).

According to the general coordinator of WYD, Auxiliary Bishop of Lisbon Américo Aguiar, the organization’s “duty” is that “all people feel welcome in a welcoming environment”, but “anything can happen” with the million pilgrims expected for the event, which runs from 1 to 6 August.

However, the president of the JMJ Lisboa 2023 Foundation told reporters that the “history” of crime in successive WYDs is “very low, almost zero.”

The collaboration with APAV, which required a €100,000 WYD sponsored by Sé de Lisboa, plans to act to “prevent, protect and respond to incidents that may involve young travellers”.

APAV will train volunteers and staff, help with security measures, and provide one-on-one support to potential victims of crime during and after WYD.

According to a press release issued this Wednesday following the signing of the protocol, the mobile team will have “technical specialists who will be able to travel and provide, if necessary, support services to the pilgrim in the host cities-dioceses of Lisbon, Santarem and Setúbal.” , adding that WDM will also have a victim support centre.

During the event, the free telephone line for support of victims (116 006) will be strengthened.

APAV President João Lázaro praised that for the first time, “an event of this magnitude” WYD took into account the “victim focus” in its planning.

WYD takes place every two, three or four years in a city chosen by the Pope.

Lisbon was selected in 2019 to host Journey 2022, which has been postponed to 2023 due to the covid-19 pandemic.