Brazil's Lei Maria da Penha sees most femicide victims without protection

In Goiás, about 90% of women killed in gender‑related murders in 2025 did not have an emergency protective order in force at the time of the crime, according to the state Military Police. The judiciary granted 27,446 protective measures in 2025 and another 14,213 in the first half of 2026, while violations of such orders rose by 15.6% year‑on‑year. The police have expanded specialized units, created a Maria da Penha policing command and launched the "Mulher Segura" app to improve response.

Meanwhile, Campo Grande hosted the 20th Lei Maria da Penha conference on 27‑28 May, organized by the National Council of Justice, the Mato Grosso do Sul Court of Justice and the state government. Judges, researchers and protection‑network professionals gathered to assess the law’s effectiveness, discuss prevention, victim assistance and offender accountability, and to draft proposals for improving Brazil’s response to domestic violence.