Brazil reports nearly 29 million women victims of domestic violence

A national survey by DataSenado and the Senate's Observatory on Violence against Women reveals that nearly 29 million Brazilian women experienced domestic or family violence in a 12-month period. A critical finding is the gap between experienced violence and official reporting: while 33% of women reported specific incidents, only 4% spontaneously identified themselves as victims of domestic violence. Approximately 87% of victims did not recognize or name their experiences as violence, and over 93% did not seek police protection.

In response to these challenges, the Ministry of Health has expanded the ‘Acolhe Mais’ service, providing up to 100,000 monthly mental health teleconsultations via the Meu SUS Digital app. This service is available nationwide to women in violent situations and family caregivers of people with disabilities or neurodevelopmental disorders.

Additionally, the ride-hailing platform 99 reported that women now represent over 40% of its users, prompting the implementation of specialized safety tools. Local initiatives, such as the distribution of educational booklets by civil police and regional seminars, also aim to help women recognize psychological, moral, and patrimonial abuse before it escalates to physical violence or feminicide.