Civil Police Operation Arrests 32 Suspects of Assault on Women in Rio de Janeiro

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – At least 32 people were arrested through mid-morning on Thursday, August 13th, in an operation by the Rio Civil Police that aims to capture escaped prisoners for crimes of violence against women.

The action is headed by the General Department of Police for Women’s Affairs (DGPAM) and has the support of the police stations in the state capital, the neighboring Baixada Fluminense region and the interior of the state.

The arrest warrants were issued following police inquiries conducted by all State police stations. “In 2019 alone, the Special Police Stations for Assistance to Women accused 16,703 domestic and family violence perpetrators, in addition to requesting 20,930 emergency preventive measures. The results of this work are the many arrest warrants to be served today,” said DGPAM director Sandra Ornellas.

Named Athena, after the Greek goddess of justice, the operation’s timing recalls the 14th anniversary of the Maria da Penha Law, enacted in August 2006, which created the specific crime of domestic violence against women. According to the Civil Police, this Thursday’s operation does not include fugitive perpetrators in favelas. The reason for this is the restriction imposed by the Federal Supreme Court (STF) banning police operations in Rio’s favela communities during the pandemic except under extraordinary circumstances.

Source: Estadão Conteúdo