Brazil Supreme Court expands Maria da Penha law to protect women outside the home

In a unanimous ruling, Brazil’s Supreme Court expanded the Maria da Penha law, which for twenty years applied only to domestic violence, to include threats, harassment and persecution occurring outside the home. The court determined that attackers can be tried even without a family or sentimental connection to the victim. Justice Carmen Lúcia, the only female justice, highlighted a surge in protective orders—about 340,000 urgent measures in the first half of 2026, a 170 % increase from the same period in 2020.

She criticized judges who label accusations as non-urgent, leaving women at risk of fatal outcomes. Brazil’s government reported the rise in protective measures, emphasizing the need for stronger legal tools. The ruling represents a major shift in the nation’s approach to gender-based violence.