Brazil activists highlight systemic failures in protecting women from violence

Activists and political figures in Brazil are highlighting the systemic failures and revictimization faced by women dealing with violence. Survivor and activist Jéssica Citrus testified at the Legislative Chamber of the Federal District, noting that the lack of integration between police, judicial, and medical systems forces victims to repeatedly recount traumatic events, worsening their psychological distress.

Citrus emphasized that protection measures must evolve beyond legal frameworks to include robust psychosocial support to help women break cycles of violence. Similarly, Federal Deputy Jack Rocha reported incidents of gender-based political violence in Espírito Santo, including an explosive device attack against her campaign staff and misogynistic attacks. These incidents underscore a broader trend where women in public life face physical and psychological threats, often compounded by bureaucratic hurdles when attempting to report crimes.