This week, a troubling pattern emerged in Greater São Paulo, where the majority of femicide victims were found to have already sought and obtained protective measures against their aggressors. According to a report by TV Globo, there has been a dramatic increase of nearly 1,000% in the request for such protective orders over the last decade in the state. Despite this significant rise in requests, authorities acknowledge that merely granting these measures has not been sufficient in preventing these violent crimes.

One of the attempts to enhance safety for potential victims has been the introduction of electronic monitoring for aggressors, using GPS ankle bracelets to keep track of their movements. Unfortunately, the case of Júlia Gabriela Bravin Trovão, 29, who was shot along with her boyfriend in Botucatu, highlights the dire circumstances that continue to plague women even when protective measures are in place. The shooter was her ex-boyfriend, who had been the subject of numerous protective measures and had a concerning history marked by repeated police reports filed against him by Júlia.

This tragic incident draws attention to the systemic issues that women face in seeking protection from domestic violence and femicides, raising questions about the efficacy of current protective measures. With the current surge in requests for protection orders, the challenge remains to enhance their enforcement and effectiveness in safeguarding women against their aggressors, as well as to address the underlying societal issues that allow such violence to persist.