Violation of physical and psychological integrity, social rights and life. While the world celebrates International Women's Day this March 8, Brazil and Rio Grande do Norte have seen a significant increase in cases of violations of various women's rights. According to records from the Data Panel of the National Human Rights Ombudsman's Office (ONDH) and tabulated by the Santos Dumont Institute (ISD), the number of crimes against women grew by 203,29% across the country between 2020 and 2021 – from 271,392 to 823,127. In the state of Rio Grande do Norte, the increase is similar: 205,02%. In absolute numbers: from 5,198 to 15,855 violations. The number of feminicides that have occurred in Rio Grande do Norte since January 1 to date is striking: eight. 

This number corresponds to one murder of a woman every 8 days, considering January 1st to March 7th. From January to December 2021, 13 occurrences of this nature were recorded throughout the northern territory of Rio Grande do Norte, compared to 20 in the previous year, according to the Civil Police. The most recent cases recorded in Natal and Parnamirim, approximately 10 days apart, shocked the population due to the murder of two women by their ex-partners who did not accept the separation process. Both committed suicide after killing the women with whom they shared years of their lives. One of them died in front of her mother and daughters.

According to data from the ONDH, recorded through calls made to Disque 180 – Women's Assistance Center, in 2021, Rio Grande do Norte recorded a number of complaints 103,94% higher than in the previous year. Experts point out that the pandemic and the need for social isolation as the most effective measure against the spread of COVID-19 increased the time that aggressors and victims spent in the same environment and, as a consequence, the occurrence of more cases of domestic violence, mainly. Men were responsible for 59,41% of the reported complaints. Most cases occur within the home shared by the aggressor and victim. At least 9,487 violations, which include any acts that violate or violate the human rights of a victim, occurred in these environments in 2021. Another 4,544 occurred within the victim's own home.

According to Carla Glenda Souza da Silva, a multidisciplinary psychologist at the Santos Dumont Institute (ISD), the increase in reports has a positive side. “More women have started to show themselves through social media and use it as a channel to report mistreatment, aggression, threats, and domestic violence. People are having more access to reporting channels, and this is very important. But there is still a lot of fear. Many women have abusive partners who are involved in illicit activities, for example,” says the psychologist, who has a PhD in Health Sciences from the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN). 

When detailing the violations, almost a third of those reported throughout 2021 occurred over a period of more than a year. In other words, many women suffered various types of abuse and remained silent for years. “There is an emotional and cultural issue among the aggressors, who already have a sense of machismo. They believe that women are property, that women have no value or do not give women the value they deserve within the family environment,” Carla Glenda points out as possible reasons for the continuation of the cycle of domestic violence. The majority of the violations detailed to the ONDH, 14,203, were attacks on the physical integrity of women from Rio Grande do Norte. 

Complaint

The Women's Support Center – Dial 180 provides qualified assistance and support to women in situations of violence. The service records and forwards reports of violence against women to the appropriate bodies, as well as complaints, suggestions or compliments about the functioning of the support services.

The service also provides information on women's rights, such as the closest and most appropriate service locations for each case: Casa da Mulher Brasileira, Reference Centers, Women's Service Stations (Deam), Public Defender's Offices, Integrated Women's Service Centers, among others.

The call is free and the service operates 24 hours a day, every day of the week. All callers reporting incidents of violence against women are answered.

Ligue 180 serves the entire national territory and can also be accessed in other countries.

Violence in numbers

See below the evolution of violence against women in Brazil and Rio Grande do Norte:

Brazil

2021

198,275 complaints

823,127 violations

2020

101,964 complaints

271,392 violations

Difference 2020 x 2021: 551,735 more violations (203,29% increase)

Rio Grande do Norte

2021

3,773 complaints

15,855 violations

2020

1,850 complaints

5,198 violations

Difference 2020 x 2021: 10,657 more violations (205,02% increase)

Frequency of violations

Daily: 10,512

Occasional: 1,898

Weekly: 1,607

Unique: 1,373

Monthly: 239

Not detailed: 226

Complaint: number of reports of human rights violations involving a victim and a suspect. A report may contain one or more human rights violations.

Violation: any act that violates or harms the human rights of a victim. Examples: mistreatment, sexual exploitation, human trafficking. 

Source: Ministry of Women, Family and Human Rights

Interview

“Women need to give themselves a chance”

Carla Glenda Souza da Silva, psychologist at ISD

Is it possible to profile women's aggressors in Rio Grande do Norte?

The profile of aggressors is closely linked to insecurity regarding the end of the relationship, and not considering themselves man enough to support the family. Nowadays, we see the issue of the threshold of frustration very strongly. People do not accept being frustrated in their desires. This is synonymous with failure and no one wants to be a failure. They do not accept the end of a relationship, they do not accept not being loved in that relationship anymore, they do not realize that they have behaviors that are harmful to the relationship, whether with their current partner or with any other. 

How does this happen?

These are men who, in general, have already had other failed relationships where, suddenly, physical and psychological abuse prevailed. And, in this relationship, when the woman becomes a little more empowered, violence arises, the violent act of killing arises.

What signs can be identified in the aggressor's behavior and attitudes?

It is possible to identify some signs, such as: the need for control, isolation from peers, family and friends; the behavior of disqualifying the person in front of other friends and family. This, increasingly, makes that partner feel bad to the point of distancing themselves or isolating themselves because they do not feel good enough or cannot meet the partner's expectations. The partner constantly passes this on to the victim through attitudes, speech, and exposure in front of third parties. The victim feels, increasingly, subjugated and submits.

How can women who are in the position of victims become stronger and report it?

It's very difficult. The woman needs to realize, first, that the relationship is not good. She needs to give herself the opportunity to recognize that certain actions of her partner are not appropriate for a positive relationship. This is not easy, because no matter how much she realizes it, social situations, emotional issues, and conflicting relationships with family members will help the relationship to become more solid and it will be much more difficult to leave the relationship after being involved for a while. It's not impossible, but she needs to give herself a chance.