The Portuguese Province of the Society of Jesus (PPCJ) opened on 18th november a Listening Service. This service is intended to welcome, listen and support people who may have been victims of sexual abuse committed in the institutions of the Society of Jesus in Portugal, whether by Jesuits, collaborators, employees or volunteers, and regardless of the date of the facts. This service, which officially opened on the European Day for the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Abuse, can be contacted by email, telephone or letter and has a specialized team dedicated to attending to people and hearing complaints.

The Listening Service aims to meet the needs of each possible victim of abuse, minimize their suffering and seek to repair, in some way, the harm they have suffered, in the certainty that nothing can erase the pain caused by sexual abuse. All cases reported to the Listening Service will be analyzed and treated, initiating the necessary and appropriate processes, whether in the civil or canonical forum.

The Listening Service stems from the Catholic Church's desire to place victims at the centre of its work on sexual abuse and to heal their wounds to the extent that this is possible. Recognizing that there may be people suffering from such harsh and devastating experiences, the Society of Jesus in Portugal is committed to creating all the conditions of trust and safety so that victims can reveal their story.

The service has a team to receive and listen to the victim. This team is made up of people with specific training who will help identify the needs of each possible victim and find the most appropriate answers, whether at a psychological, spiritual, or other level. Through these people, the victims will be accompanied throughout the processes that may be triggered by the denunciation, such as, for example, a canonical or civil process.

The Listening Service is part of the Protection and Care System for Minors and Vulnerable Adults (SPC) that the Portuguese Province of the Society of Jesus began implementing in 2018 in all institutions and organizations linked to the Jesuits in Portugal, such as schools, parishes, youth associations or social institutions. This system is dedicated to promoting safe environments and healthy relationships within these organizations, therefore focusing on raising awareness and training their employees and preventing situations of mistreatment and abuse. 

The creation of the Listening Service is also supported by an advisory group composed of people inside and outside the Society, with expertise in different areas of intervention, who will help the Portuguese Province of the Society of Jesus to design and implement it according to the best practices and the purpose of its mission.