President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has sanctioned a new federal law mandating electronic ankle bracelets for aggressors in domestic violence cases against women at risk to life or integrity. The measure amends the Lei Maria da Penha and is now in effect nationwide following its publication in the Official Gazette on April 10, 2026. The approval addresses alarming statistics on violations of protective measures.
The law, published on Friday (10), requires electronic monitoring when there is risk to the victim's life or physical or psychological integrity. Previously optional, judges must now justify any refusal of the ankle bracelet.
Data from the Fórum Brasileiro de Segurança Pública highlight system failures: between 2021 and 2024, 13.1% of femicide victims in 16 federative units had protective measures, yet 148 of 1,127 were killed despite official risk recognition. In 2024, over 100,000 measures were violated—18.3% of 555,001 granted—with 52 women murdered under judicial protection. The country recorded 1,492 femicides, the highest since 2015.
The ankle bracelet sets exclusion zones for the aggressor, alerts the victim via app or device, and notifies police in real time. Violations increase penalties by one-third to half. Judges or delegates can impose it, with judicial review within 24 hours, prioritizing prior non-compliance or imminent risk cases.
At least 6% of the National Public Security Fund will finance the devices. This month, the Ministry of Justice will launch the Alerta Mulher Segura pilot in three states, linking aggressors' bracelets to victims' digital watches.
