Claim of Breach No. 31818 – Federal Supreme Court and Popular Action No. 1011189-79.2017.4.01.3400 – Federal Regional Court of the 1st Region (2019)

Direct Action of Unconstitutionality No. 5543 – Federal Supreme Court (2020)

Special Appeal No. 1,977,124 – Superior Court of Justice, Sixth Panel (2022)

The Federal Supreme Court (STF), unanimously, declared the so-called “honor defense” unconstitutional, holding that it violates the principles of human dignity, the protection of life, and gender equality. The ruling was issued in the context of a Claim of Breach of Fundamental Precept (ADPF) 779, filed by the Democratic Labor Party (PDT), following a preliminary injunction granted by Justice Dias Toffoli in February 2021.

The First Panel of the Brazilian Federal Supreme Court (STF), by majority, denied habeas corpus relief that sought to reclassify the crime of rape of a vulnerable person (Article 217-A of the Penal Code) as the misdemeanor of offensive molestation (Article 65 of the Law of Criminal Misdemeanors, later repealed by Law No. 14,132/2021).

Law No. 13,931/2019 provides for the mandatory reporting of suspected or confirmed cases of violence against women. The law requires that, whenever there are indications or confirmation of violence, the case must be reported to the police authority within 24 hours, both to enable appropriate measures and for statistical purposes.

Law No. 14,149/2021 of May 5, 2021 established the National Risk Assessment Form to be applied to women who are victims of domestic and family violence. The purpose of the form is to identify risk factors indicating the likelihood that the woman may suffer further violence in the context of domestic or family relationships. It functions as a tool to support the work of law enforcement agencies, the Public Prosecutor’s Office, the Judiciary, and protection and assistance networks in managing identified risks.

Law No. 14,857/2024 amended Law No. 11,340/2006 (Maria da Penha Law) to establish confidentiality of the victim’s name in cases involving crimes committed in the context of domestic and family violence against women. The measure strengthens protections for the victim’s privacy and dignity by ensuring that their identity remains confidential throughout judicial proceedings.

Law No. 14,132/2021 amended the Penal Code to introduce Article 147-A, which criminalizes the offense of stalking. The crime is defined as repeatedly pursuing someone, by any means, in a way that threatens their physical or psychological integrity, restricts their freedom of movement, or invades their privacy. The penalty is imprisonment from six months to two years and a fine.

Law No. 14,541/2023 establishes the creation and uninterrupted operation of Women’s Police Stations (Delegacias Especializadas de Atendimento à Mulher – Deam) to provide specialized law enforcement services for women who are victims of violence. The law requires these stations to operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including weekends and holidays. Assistance must be provided preferably by female police officers in private rooms.