Brazil bars domestic violence convicts from public service exams

In Brazil, regulations are increasingly preventing individuals convicted of domestic violence under the Maria da Penha Law from participating in public service exams or holding government positions. This enforcement comes as the judiciary reports a significant surge in domestic violence cases, reaching 104,000 protective orders authorized in a single month in 2026.

Following a 2021 decision by the Supreme Federal Court (STF), which affirmed that states and municipalities may implement such restrictions to maintain administrative integrity, various regions including São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Minas Gerais, and Bahia have adopted similar rules. Recently, the Secretariat of State for Social Development in the Federal District (Sedes-DF) confirmed that final convictions for domestic violence will bar candidates from all stages of the selection process.