Expanded Legal Protections
Brazil's Supreme Court Expands Protections for Women Against Violence Outside the Home
Brazil's Supreme Court unanimously voted to dramatically expand protections for women under the country's landmark Maria da Penha law. The 2006 law, which had only applied to domestic violence for two decades, can now be triggered for attacks outdoors—including persecution, threats, and harassment Greeley Tribune. Attackers no longer need a family or romantic connection to victims to face trial under the law.
The expansion comes as violence against women surges in Brazil. In the first half of 2026 alone, courts granted nearly 340,000 urgent protective measures to women—a 170% jump from the same period in 2020 NY Daily News. Justice Carmen Lúcia, the court's only female member, warned that violence has grown despite the law's existence.
What the Maria da Penha Law Does Now
The law now covers street violence, online harassment, and stalking—not just abuse at home Journal Advocate. Before this ruling, courts only applied it to domestic incidents. The court decided that any man attacking a woman for gender-based reasons can face charges. This removes a major gap that left women unprotected outside their homes.
A Dramatic Spike in Protective Orders
Women are getting emergency protection orders at a record pace. Nearly 340,000 orders were granted in the first six months of 2026 Boston Herald. That's 170% higher than the first half of 2020. The surge shows more women are using the law's protections now that it covers more situations. Courts are responding faster to threats.
Why the Court's All-Female Justice Warned Lawmakers
Justice Carmen Lúcia is the only woman on Brazil's 10-member Supreme Court. She said violence against women has grown despite the 2006 law existing Capital Gazette. The court's unanimous decision signals alarm about Brazil's track record. Even with protections on the books, women kept getting hurt. The expansion aims to close loopholes that let abusers escape justice.
How the Law Finally Covers Street Violence
For 20 years, the law only worked indoors—protecting wives and girlfriends Trentonian. Now it covers women stalked in public, threatened online, or harassed at work. The court removed the requirement that attackers have a family or romantic tie to victims. This means a stranger threatening a woman faces the same charges as a domestic abuser. The shift recognizes that gender-based violence happens everywhere.
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