Brazil's Supreme Court delivered a unanimous ruling on Wednesday, significantly broadening the scope of the nation's landmark legislation designed to protect women from violence. For the past two decades, the Maria da Penha law was primarily applied to incidents occurring within domestic settings, mirroring legal frameworks in nations such as the United States. Following the court's decision, the law can now be invoked for situations taking place outdoors, including instances of harassment, threats, and persecution.
All 10 members of the Supreme Court voted in favor of the expansion, which also dictates that attackers can now face trial even if they maintain no sentimental or family connection to the victim. This update comes as the Brazilian government reports a sharp increase in the use of protective mechanisms. During the first semester of 2026, nearly 340,000 urgent protective measures were granted, representing a 170% spike compared to the same period in 2020.
Justice Carmen Lúcia, the court's only female member, emphasized that despite the 2006 enactment of the Maria da Penha law, violence against women has continued to rise. She argued that the legislation required modernization because much of the violence is rooted in power dynamics and frequently occurs outside the home in cases that are often reported to police but subsequently ignored. Lúcia criticized the current judicial practices, noting that judges often dismiss accusations without proper justification or urgency, leaving women at risk. She stated, "In real life, judges reject accusations against men without justification, they say it is not urgent, they leave it for next Monday. Meanwhile, one of us dies." By implementing this ruling, the court aims to demonstrate that it is neither blind nor deaf to the violence facing women across the country.
