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Deputy Júlia Zanatta (PL-SC) Proposes Expanding the Maria da Penha Law to Include Men Victims of Domestic Violence; Proposal Divides Opinions in Congress.
A bill currently in progress in the National Congress promises to rekindle the debate about the limits and application of the Maria da Penha Law, one of the most emblematic legislations in the country in combating domestic violence. The proposal, presented by federal deputy Júlia Zanatta (PL-SC) at the beginning of 2025, seeks to expand legal protection to men who suffer physical, psychological, or property violence at home.
The text, registered under the number PL 4954/2025, aims to amend provisions of the Law No. 11.340/2006, which currently protects only women. If approved, the project will allow men in situations of domestic vulnerability to request emergency protective measures, such as the removal of the aggressor, prohibition of contact, and priority service in public agencies.
Maria da Penha Law: Created to Protect Women, But Could Have a New Reach
The Maria da Penha Law was enacted on August 7, 2006, after strong social mobilization and a decision from the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR).
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Inspired by the story of pharmacist Maria da Penha Maia Fernandes, who survived two attempted femicides committed by her husband, the law represented a historical landmark in the fight against gender violence in Brazil.
However, nearly two decades later, the scenario of domestic violence presents new family dynamics, and cases of men assaulted by partners, children, or family members have gained visibility.
According to data from the Brazilian Forum on Public Safety (FBSP), in 2024 more than 25 thousand police reports of domestic violence were registered in which the man was identified as the victim.
The author of the project argues that the Brazilian legal system cannot discriminate based on the victim’s gender, and that “state protection should be extended to any citizen in a situation of vulnerability, regardless of being a man or a woman.”
What Changes with PL 4954/2025
If the project is approved, the main changes would be:
- Expansion of emergency protective measures, such as removal from the home, contact restrictions, and psychological support, also for men victims of domestic violence;
- Priority service for men in vulnerable situations, with the possibility of contacting the Family Protection Police Station;
- Inclusion of domestic violence against men in statistics and public policies for confrontation, allowing for broader educational campaigns and actions;
- Amendment of the 2nd article of the Maria da Penha Law, which currently states “every woman”, to include “every person who is a victim of domestic and family violence”.
The proposal also stipulates that, in case of proven psychological or physical violence, the aggressor may be held criminally liable under the same penalties already provided by the current law.
Support and Criticism of the Proposal
The project divided opinions among jurists and lawmakers. For some experts, the initiative corrects a legal gap, ensuring equal treatment under the law.
However, there are those who argue that the Maria da Penha Law was created based on a specific reality, in which women occupy a position historically more vulnerable and that creating an identical mechanism for men could distort the original nature of the law.
On social media, Deputy Júlia Zanatta defended the proposal by stating that “violence has no gender” and that the state must provide support to all. She highlighted cases of men victims of psychological assault, emotional blackmail, and public defamation, emphasizing that these situations often do not receive attention from authorities.
Legal Debate: Expand the Law or Create a New One?
The discussion raised by PL 4954/2025 goes beyond the expansion of the Maria da Penha Law. Some jurists advocate for the creation of a new specific legislation for men, instead of modifying the current structure, which is internationally recognized as a tool to combat gender inequality.
Criminal law professor Renato Brasileiro de Lima, in previous analyses of similar proposals, stated that “it is possible to guarantee the protection of any victim of domestic violence without compromising the principles that motivated the creation of the Maria da Penha Law, through complementary legislation.”
Nonetheless, Zanatta’s project gained political traction and promises to polarize discussions in the thematic committees of the Chamber and the Senate in the coming months.
What Happens Now
The PL 4954/2025 was officially presented in March 2025 and is still awaiting the appointment of a rapporteur in the Committee on the Defense of Women’s Rights (CMULHER) of the Chamber of Deputies.
After analysis, it will proceed to the Committee on Constitution and Justice (CCJ) and, if approved, may go to vote in the plenary.
In the meantime, the debate on equal protection in family relations continues to grow and rekindles a sensitive discussion: to what extent is it fair for the law to treat men and women differently when both are victims of domestic violence?
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