Atibaia women's protection network provides support and guidance

The Dirce Bellingeri Women's Reference Center (CRM) in Atibaia, Brazil, serves as a critical information and protection hub for women facing violence. Coordinator Gabriela Antunes dos Santos explains that the center is designed to support women even before they have a police report or a protective order, providing a space for those who are unsure if they are experiencing abuse.

In 2025, 238 women accessed the CRM for the first time, contributing to over one thousand total services including social assistance, psychology, legal guidance, and therapeutic care. While the existing protection network is described as efficient, professionals note the challenge of service fragmentation. Victims often must navigate multiple locations—including police stations, city hall, courts, and health units—to access comprehensive support.

Additionally, the Maria da Penha Patrol provides follow-up services once protective orders are granted. Officers conduct home and workplace visits to monitor the safety of victims and the behavior of aggressors, reporting findings to the Judiciary. Experts emphasize that a primary obstacle remains the difficulty for both victims and aggressors to recognize abusive behavior as domestic violence.