Cachoeirinha Forum inaugurates Red Bench to combat violence against women

A ‘Banco Vermelho’ (Red Bench), an international symbol used to combat femicide and violence against women, was inaugurated at the Cachoeirinha Forum in Rio Grande do Sul. Minutes after the ceremony, the installation immediately served its purpose when a 62-year-old woman approached the bench to report experiencing violence.

Authorities provided the woman with guidance and encouraged her to formalize a complaint through the Public Defender's Office. This incident highlights the initiative's goal of increasing visibility and encouraging victims to seek help. Cachoeirinha now has three such benches, with plans to install more in municipal parks and schools to strengthen the local protection network.