A Lei Maria da Penha como um emblema-problema: a experiência da delegacia especializada no atendimento à mulher de Juiz de Fora – DEAM-JF

Abstract

The objective of this work is to assess the effectiveness of the Maria da Penha Law in the context of the city of Juiz de Fora, based on the institutional experience of the PoliceDepartment for Women and Wouse’s Woman. Methodologically, the research articulates and combines quantitative standards -from the statistics, records and figures provided by these two public bodies -with qualitative standards, as the object of the investigation is the impact of public policies in addressing the social phenomenon of gender violence, which demands an understanding of the values, meanings, expectations and attitudes of public agents and victims of gender violence before and after the adventof the Maria da Penha Law. Although they confirm the hypothesis of the work about the emblematic role of this normative framework -the main legal achievement of Brazilian women in the struggle for the affirmation of their human dignity, their equalitybefore men and respect for their fundamental rights -the results of the research, however , demonstrate that the inexistence or insufficiency of public policies provided for in the Law and complementary to it constitutes a serious obstacle to its full effectiveness, that is, many of the main legally anticipated and socially desired effects do not materialize in the daily livesof victims of gender violence in Juiz de Fora.