Readers looking for documented context on domestic violence in Portugal in 2008 will find this page useful as a focused reference point. It brings together the core figure publicly associated with that year, explains what that figure can and cannot tell us, and places the material within a careful observatory-style reading rather than a broad or sensational summary.
What the 2008 figure shows
A publicly cited 2008 data point linked to the Observatory of Women Murdered states that 44 women were killed in situations of domestic violence during that year. In the same source context, the figure is described as the highest level recorded since 2004. This makes the 2008 record especially important for readers studying how fatal violence against women was being publicly discussed at the time.
Why context matters when reading annual statistics
A yearly total is useful, but it does not explain every circumstance behind the number. Statistics on domestic violence can reflect reporting practices, legal definitions, case classification, and the way different institutions document lethal and non-lethal abuse. For that reason, one annual figure should be read as a serious indicator of harm, not as a complete account of the wider reality faced by victims.
Reading this page as a documented record
This page is intended as an evidence-led summary of a 2008 observatory statistic, not as a full methodological report. The available source context connects the figure to public debate around prevention, victim protection, and stronger responses to aggressors. That context helps explain why the statistic drew attention, but it does not by itself confirm the full dataset, methodology, or publication format behind the original observatory material.
Availability not confirmed: the underlying publication or statistical release associated with this 2008 figure has not been fully verified on this page.
Details being checked: publication format, full date coverage, methodological notes, and any additional breakdowns remain to be confirmed from supporting source material.
How to use the statistic responsibly
For researchers, journalists, students, and educators, the most responsible use of this figure is to cite it with its year and topic clearly attached: domestic violence statistics for 2008, with a reported total of 44 women killed. It should not be expanded into broader claims about trends, causes, or policy outcomes unless those points are supported by separately confirmed documentation.
What this page helps readers do next
This record is best used as a starting point for further reading across observatory publications, feminist research, and dated public-interest materials on gender-based violence. Readers comparing years or studying changes in public response should look for additional confirmed annual records, legal context, and source notes before drawing conclusions from a single headline number.