The Role of the Gama Public Prosecutor’s Office in Domestic Violence Cases: Seeking New Approaches to Address the Issue

Abstract

In light of the changes and trends that have affected the Public Prosecutor’s Office in recent decades—particularly those following the enactment of the Maria da Penha Law in 2006—this study aims to examine the expectations of women experiencing domestic violence regarding the role of the justice system, as well as some of the responses provided to them.

The study is based on data collected from the records of women assisted by the Psychosocial Analysis Unit of the Gama Prosecutors’ Office Coordination (CPJGA), a regional unit of the Public Prosecutor’s Office of the Federal District and Territories (MPDFT). The analytical framework begins with an overview of key developments in the construction of women’s rights in Brazil. Subsequently, data gathered from institutional records and intake interviews conducted with women in situations of domestic violence enabled the identification of their sociodemographic profile, their primary expectations regarding the justice system, and some of the responses provided by the MPDFT.

The analysis of these narratives reveals that most expectations are related to non-criminal responses. In this regard, it was possible to observe that the MPDFT has adopted two central strategies in Gama/DF: the provision of psychosocial assistance through its specialized unit, and the articulation of interinstitutional networks, particularly through the institutional project known as the Network for Combating Violence against Women in Gama.