The Ceará State Community Police and assistance to victims of violence

Abstract

Violence against women has a high incidence in Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil, and it is regarded as a serious violation of human rights. Law No. 11,340/2006, known as Maria da Penha Act, is considered by the United Nations (UN) as one of the three best legislations in the world aimed at tackling violence against women. Thus, the Ceará State Military Police (Polícia Militar do Estado do Ceará [PMCE]) provides a protection and care service for women experiencing domestic and family violence, named as Support Group for Victims of Violence (Grupo de Apoio às Vítimas de Violência [GAVV]). This study aimed to learn about the work of this group in the Fortaleza neighborhoods of Siqueira, Bom Jardim, and Granja Lisboa, where the 4th Integrated Security Unit (4ª Unidade Integrada de Segurança [UNISEG 4]) is located during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The study had a qualitative nature and used bibliographic, documentary, and field research techniques. Data collection took place through semi-structured interviews conducted with 5 public security professionals from the UNISEG 4; they reported team work experiences during the pandemic in the year 2020.