What is the Alerta Mulher Segura Program?

Brazil's federal government has launched the Alerta Mulher Segura (Safe Woman Alert) program, published in the official gazette Diário Oficial da União. The initiative regulates a provision of the Maria da Penha Law that already authorized electronic monitoring of domestic violence perpetrators, turning that authorization into a structured national policy.

How Does the Electronic Monitoring Work?

The program has two main pillars. First, aggressors subject to protective orders are fitted with electronic monitoring devices. Second, victims receive a portable tracking unit — on a voluntary and informed-consent basis — that sends automatic alerts whenever the aggressor violates the minimum court-ordered distance. The device also enables immediate contact with security forces in high-risk situations.

Who Runs the Program?

Execution is the responsibility of each state and the Federal District. The reference model includes three tiers:

  • Central Monitoring Hubs — technical coordination, geospatial tracking of protective orders.
  • Regional Monitoring Units — decentralized coverage of micro-regions.
  • Local Poles — device installation, maintenance and removal, operating in police stations or other state-designated locations.

States and the Federal District may adopt their own organizational models, provided victim protection and proper aggressor monitoring are guaranteed.

What About Data and False Alerts?

Monitoring runs through a dedicated software system that records and consolidates data on protective measures. Importantly, an alert generated by the system is not automatically treated as a violation — each occurrence must undergo technical, contextual analysis by the responsible team. The system must also produce statistics disaggregated by race, ethnicity, disability and other vulnerability factors to inform future policy improvements.

When Does a Victim Get Her Device?

The tracking unit must be delivered immediately — ideally at the very first contact with the relevant authority — and participation is strictly voluntary, requiring the woman's express informed consent.

Key Facts:
  • Program name: Alerta Mulher Segura, published in the Diário Oficial da União.
  • Legal basis: Maria da Penha Law (electronic monitoring provision).
  • Two core tools: aggressor monitoring device + voluntary victim tracking unit.
  • Alerts are sent when court-ordered minimum distance is breached.
  • Implementation responsibility: states and the Federal District.
  • System alerts do not automatically constitute a legal violation — each case is reviewed.
  • Data disaggregated by race, ethnicity and disability for policy analysis.