In its fifth edition, the survey “Visible and Invisible: The Victimization of Women in Brazil”, conducted by Datafolha at the request of the Brazilian Public Security Forum (FBSP), recorded the highest prevalence of women reporting violence in the past 12 months. According to the findings, 37.5% of women—equivalent to 21.4 million by projection—reported experiencing some form of violence.
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Assaults More Than Doubled
Since the first survey in 2017, the proportion of assaults committed by a husband, boyfriend, or partner has more than doubled, rising from 19.4% to 40% of cases. The study interviewed 1,040 women aged 16 and over in 126 cities of varying sizes across Brazil between 10 and 14 February 2025. Of these, 793 respondents answered specific victimization-related questions, with a margin of error of three percentage points.
Types of Assault
On average, victims reported experiencing more than three different types of violence within the past year. The most common forms included insults, humiliation, and name-calling (31.4%), physical aggression such as beatings, pushing, or kicking (16.9%), and threats of violence (16.1%). Additionally, 16.1% of women reported stalking or intimidation, while 10.4% suffered sexual offenses or forced attempts at intercourse. Other recorded cases involved injuries caused by thrown objects (8.9%), attempted strangulation or beatings (7.8%), threats with knives or firearms (6.4%), and shootings or stabbings (1.4%).
Victims of Firearms
In 2023, 4,395 women received medical treatment after being victims of non-lethal firearm assaults. Notably, at least 35% had previously sought medical attention for domestic violence at the hands of the same aggressor—typically husbands, boyfriends, ex-partners, or close acquaintances. This figure represents a 23% increase from the previous year and a 35% rise compared to 2021, according to a study by the Sou da Paz Institute, based on data from Brazil’s Unified Health System (SUS).
Aggressors and Domestic Violence
More than half of all cases (57%) occurred at home, while 67% of the women reported that the aggressor was their current or former partner. Since 2017, the proportion of attacks by husbands, boyfriends, or partners has surged from 19.4% to 40% in 2025.
Seeking Help
Despite the high prevalence of violence, nearly half of the victims (47.4%) did not seek help or report their attackers after experiencing serious aggression. Among those who did, 19.2% turned to family members, 15.2% sought support from friends, 14.2% went to a Women’s Police Station, and 6% sought help from a church.
Witnesses to Violence
The vast majority of violent incidents were witnessed by others. Among the 21.4 million women who reported experiencing violence, 47.3% stated that friends or acquaintances saw the assaults, while 27% said their children were present. Additionally, 12.4% reported that other relatives witnessed the violence, and 7.7% said it was observed by strangers.
Analysis:
The alarming increase in reported violence against women in Brazil reflects both a greater awareness of what constitutes violence and a worsening social context that fosters aggression. But it also points to structural failures in prevention and protection. The COVID-19 pandemic played a significant role in intensifying domestic violence, as isolation and economic hardship created conditions where women were trapped with their aggressors.
At the same time, the dismantling of public policies for women, including budget cuts to shelters and support networks, has weakened institutional responses. This lack of resources means that many victims do not find adequate assistance, contributing to the high percentage of those who do not seek help. The conservative shift in political discourse has also legitimized gender-based violence in some circles, making it harder to advance protective measures.
Finally, society’s perception of violence remains a barrier. While physical abuse is more readily condemned, psychological, sexual, and financial violence are still normalized or dismissed.
