At 20 years old, Brazil’s Maria da Penha Law remains primarily a penal statute. In Congress, its strength is still tied to harsher penalties and new criminal definitions. The paradox is clear: the more the law promises repression, the less it addresses whether the justice system can deliver concrete protection.
Low conviction rates persist despite high case volume
Data from the Federal District Court’s Statistics Unit (Nuest) highlights the daily frustration faced by court staff and judges in converting investigations into convictions.
In 2024, 20,655 police inquiries were filed with the Federal District’s Domestic Violence Courts. Only 5,405, or 26.16%, led to criminal charges that same year. Even accounting for cases that may proceed later, the dismissal rate is significant. Of all inquiries, 12,677 (61.37%) were permanently shelved in 2024.
The Brazilian Public Security Forum (FBSP) reports that 1,568 women were killed in gender-based murders in 2025, a figure rising since 2022.
Empowering survivors is key to breaking cycles
Reversing this trend requires acknowledging that government action alone is insufficient. A gap exists between legal norms and individual responsibility in addressing violence. While public safety is a state duty, self-protection is a skill those facing violence must develop.
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Premature reconciliations and impulsive withdrawals reinforce male impunity. Recognizing that protection begins and ends with the survivor isn’t about blame. It’s about society, and especially the state, guiding survivors through the legal process as part of broader security policies.
This guidance must start with clarifying the survivor’s decisive role in legal proceedings. High dismissal rates stem partly from evidentiary challenges but also from a lack of understanding about their participation’s importance. Without survivor involvement, investigations rarely progress.
Testifying in court, revisiting trauma, and recounting painful events can be distressing. However, this experience can be reframed. The discomfort of narrating violence can transform into empowerment from taking an active role in confronting it.
Providing new testimony isn’t just a procedural formality but an active contribution to ending the cycle of violence. State guidance should emphasize that truthful accounts strengthen evidence and counter unjust skepticism of survivors’ statements.
When survivors alter their stories, it often stems from protecting the abuser, not themselves. This undermines their credibility and hinders holding perpetrators accountable. Maintaining factual accuracy preserves their voice, strengthens their position, and prevents self-protection attempts from becoming another form of abandonment.
From reporting to persistence: A necessary shift
The longstanding message of “report” accompanying the Maria da Penha Law for two decades remains valid but needs updating: “Report and persist.” Not giving up may reduce feelings of abandonment and turn reports into effective protection.
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In honor of all Marias, consider Gisèle Pelicot, a French woman who exposed her husband’s drugging and organizing group assaults against her, becoming a symbol of resistance. By turning private pain into public confrontation, she demonstrated individual commitment.
Her example shouldn’t be a moral standard but a reminder that those directly affected must be part of the solution. The law’s evolution depends on recognizing survivors’ central role in both the problem and its resolution.
The Federal District Court’s Statistics Unit data shows the system’s struggle. In 2024, over 12,000 inquiries were shelved, highlighting the need for persistent survivor involvement.
The Brazilian Public Security Forum’s 2025 report shows the urgency. With gender-based murders rising since 2022, empowering survivors is more critical than ever.
State guidance must emphasize the importance of truthful testimony. Survivors’ active participation strengthens cases and counters skepticism, as seen in the 26.16% charge rate in 2024.
The Maria da Penha Law’s evolution requires a shift from mere reporting to persistent engagement. This approach, inspired by examples like Gisèle Pelicot, can transform private pain into public action.
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By recognizing survivors’ central role, Brazil can address the gap between legal norms and individual responsibility. This shift is essential to breaking the cycle of violence and ensuring effective protection.
The 2024 data reveals a system in need of reform. With 61.37% of inquiries shelved, the focus must turn to empowering survivors and supporting their active participation.
As the Maria da Penha Law enters its third decade, updating its message to “Report and persist” is key. This change can reduce abandonment feelings and turn reports into tangible protection, as demonstrated by the 5,405 charges filed in 2024.
The law’s strength lies not only in penalties but in its ability to empower survivors. By learning from examples like Gisèle Pelicot, Brazil can create a more effective and compassionate legal system.
In conclusion, the Maria da Penha Law’s future depends on recognizing survivors’ role in both the problem and its solution. With 1,568 gender-based murders in 2025, the time for action is now.
