Lack of information makes prevention of domestic violence difficult

Even with punitive measures, research shows that Brazil is not very effective in combating aggression and aiding female victims

Por Portal Comunicare**

Considered a milestone in facing violence, the enactment of the Maria da Penha Law¹ completed 12 years. In addition to it, the Brazilian government, in partnership with states and municipalities, created new programs and improved the network of protection and assistance, as well as the combat against women aggression. The country, however, still does not show great effectiveness in protecting the victims. At a rate of 4.8 per 100,000 women, Brazil is the fifth country with the highest number of homicides. The statistics are part of the “Map of Violence”² of 2015, conducted by the Latin American Social Sciences Institute (Flacso).

The Brazilian population lacks accessible and reliable public information on the subject. The lack of accurate data and records on cases of women violence makes the mechanisms for monitoring public policies, and even laws, fragile. A 2013 study, conducted by Data Popular and Patrícia Galvão Institute, pointed out that legal framework to combat violence against women, especially in the areas of health and justice, was still unknown by a large part of the population. Even though violence is gaining more space in public debates, the dissemination of content and information is fundamental and can aid in the search for help. Besides this problem, there is another obstacle that shows the ineffectiveness of the denunciation process: the sociocultural history of the people. In a traditionally sexist community, women are silent about the aggressions because of fear and ignorance of the public support mechanisms.

Camila* was a victim of sexual abuse for seven years and never sought help for fear of her father and family. When she was five, her cousin abused her for the first time. Because of her young age, she did not understand what was happening to her nor the reason for it. After three years of aggression, the situation was discovered by her father, who, instead of helping her, humiliated her in front of the family, leaving her naked in the living room, and striking her with a belt. “It hurt a lot. I remember it, to this day, every scene, every face of every person who was watching. I did not understand why I had been beaten,” she says. The abuses continued until the age of 12, which was when she learned, in school, what sexual intercourse was. Today Camila is 19 years old and the abuse does not happen anymore.

Believing to have found in John* the support she needed to deal with a complicated episode of her life, Nathalia* experienced an abusive relationship in which she was emotionally submissive to the abuser. “I was terrified that he would break up with me. I would give in to the pressure and do everything he asked for,” she says. Even knowing of John’s aggressive history with other women, the victim believed she could change him. According to Sandra Praddo, the general coordinator of the Brazilian Casa da Mulher³, it is fundamental that the victim be given a treatment in which there are no judgments and which acknowledges that violence is a difficult cycle to overcome. “We have to respect each woman’s time. Sometimes this happens because of economic dependency or emotional bond,” she ponders.

The Brazilian Casa attends to physical, moral, sexual, patrimonial and psychological violence against women. Since its opening, more than 24 thousand visits have been made in all areas of the institution. Sandra explains that the biggest difference of the work accomplished is humanized care. “We do not induce anyone to do anything. Her will is what we respect within the code of professional ethics and offer of shelter. ” Among the main services provided by the organization are shelter, support given by the psychological and social areas for a qualified listening section and accommodation to shelter women and family members that are in imminent risk of life. At the end of the process, the women receive support for the development of economic autonomy, with the purpose of helping their re-entry in the labor market.
According to the coordinator, the profile of people who turn to assistance are white women, who are between 35 and 45 years old and have an average of three children. She further evaluates that cases of physical violence stand out as the main reason for them to go to the institution. “It’s the last straw, but physical violence never comes alone. It is always accompanied by patrimonial, moral, sexual or psychological violence. ”

Paraná’s government conducts work to combat domestic violence

In early October, Ratinho Junior (PSD) was elected Governor of Paraná, with almost 60% of votes. In the coming years of government, he intends to dedicate a specific space to deal with the defense and strengthening of female protagonism. His main proposals include: establishing protective measures for women at risk of violence; training public agents to aid victims in time of need; and promoting support provided by the civil system.
The UN draws attention to the need of ensuring that women at risk have access to a range of essential services to be provided by different sectors. Currently, Paraná promotes programs and initiatives of welcoming, providing support and psychotherapy. The effectiveness of public policies to inform women and encourage them to report aggression is essential if there is to be real control over the problem.

* Fictitious names have been used to protect the integrity of the interviewees.

¹NT: The law establishes special courts and severe sentences for acts of domestic violence and also creates specialized police stations and shelters for women that suffered this kind of violence.

²NT: According to Flacso website, this map is made from secondary data surveys conducted periodically with a focus on youth issues and violence. The map aims to evaluate the efficiency and sufficiency of public policies for youth focusing on different aspects of society, such as violence against women.

** Esta reportagem faz parte do projeto de internacionalização do curso de Jornalismo da PUCPR e integra a edição 314 do jornal Comunicare, jornal laboratorial do curso de Jornalismo da PUCPR. A tradução foi feita pelo curso de Letras da PUCPR. Confira, abaixo, a edição na íntegra.