Brazil's 'Minute-After' Law Guarantees Free SUS Care for Sexual Violence Victims

Law No. 12.845/2013, known as the Lei do Minuto Seguinte, obliges all public hospitals in Brazil’s Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS) to provide immediate, free, multidisciplinary assistance to anyone who has suffered sexual violence. The right to care does not depend on the presence of physical injuries, a police report, or the relationship to the aggressor. Victims can seek treatment directly at a health unit, where they receive medical evaluation, psychological support, social assistance, emergency contraception, and prophylaxis against sexually transmitted infections, including post‑exposure HIV treatment (PEP) that must start within 72 hours. Health professionals must also preserve evidence when the victim chooses to file a police complaint, while respecting privacy and avoiding revictimisation. The law aims to reduce health complications and ensure rapid access to essential services for all survivors across Brazil.