Brazil expands emergency‑button programs to protect women from violence
State deputy Lohanna França (Minas Gerais) began using a panic‑button device after a convicted threat‑maker was released with an electronic ankle monitor. The button alerts security if the offender comes within 200 m of the deputy or the Legislative Assembly.
The Viva Flor program in the Federal District provides an emergency‑button service—via a smartphone app or dedicated device—to women and girls at extreme risk of domestic violence. The program operates from 11 specialized units across the district and coordinates rapid response through geolocation.
Mato Grosso do Sul recorded 10,172 protective orders granted between January and 15 July 2026, averaging 2.7 measures per hour, while Rio de Janeiro’s Maria da Penha Virtual platform logged 3,210 protection requests in the first seven months of 2026. Both figures show a continued rise in demand for legal safeguards for victims.
In Germany, Hospital Alemão Oswaldo Cruz has set up an internal support line and external assistance flow for staff and patients experiencing gender‑based violence, underscoring the broader institutional response to the issue.