Brazil Federal Judge Charged with Repeated Psychological Violence Against Women

The Superior Tribunal de Justiça (STJ) upheld a criminal proceeding against a retired federal judge accused of committing five acts of psychological violence against female staff in his office. The judge claimed a lack of formal complaints and argued that the evidence stemmed from administrative disciplinary processes, not criminal investigations. The court noted that victims often refrain from reporting due to fear of retaliation and that repeated abusive conduct over years can constitute the crime, even without a single incident. Under Brazil’s penal code, psychological violence carries a sentence of six months to two years’ imprisonment and a fine, with an increased penalty if the abuse involves artificial intelligence or other technologies that alter the victim’s image or voice. The decision highlights the growing jurisprudence on gender‑based psychological abuse and the role of higher courts in shaping its interpretation.