São Paulo Government Boosts Support and Enforcement to Combat Domestic Violence in 2025-2026

The São Paulo government has intensified its efforts to combat domestic violence through increased arrests of perpetrators and expanded support services for victims. From March 2025 to February 2026, authorities reported a 31.2% rise in arrests of domestic violence offenders, reaching a total of 18,500 for the year. This increase reflects stronger enforcement of judicial decisions and faster responses to violence reports, aiming to break the cycle of abuse before escalation.

Simultaneously, a state-run housing assistance program has provided crucial support to 5,247 women victims of domestic violence during the same period. This program, part of the Secretary of Social Development of São Paulo's initiative, is widely adopted across 585 municipalities, facilitating safer living conditions for women escaping abusive environments.

The government’s protective network includes police officers like Kátia Cilene, who has transformed her own experience as a domestic violence survivor into a mission to aid other women. With almost 30 years of experience responding to emergency calls, Kátia exemplifies the human impact of the state’s strengthened support system.

Together, these measures underscore São Paulo's comprehensive strategy against domestic violence, focusing on both rigid enforcement and empathetic victim support. The increase in arrests combined with housing aid indicates tangible progress in addressing violence against women within the state. Authorities emphasize that swift intervention and sustained victim assistance remain critical to reducing further harm and building safer communities.