On the night of February 25, 2023, 22-year-old Cibelle Monteiro Alves was brutally murdered in a shopping mall in São Bernardo do Campo, Brazil, by her ex-boyfriend, Cassio Henrique da Silva Zampieri. Despite having legally obtained a protective order prohibiting him from contacting her, Cibelle had been threatened multiple times after their breakup in the previous year. Her case is emblematic of the increasing violence against women in Brazil and illustrates the severe shortcomings in the state's protective measures for victims of domestic violence.

Cibelle's murder exposes the deficiencies of Brazil's judicial system, which, while having granted the protective order in accordance with the law, failed to provide effective enforcement. She had taken all the necessary steps, including reporting her threats to the authorities and requesting help on several occasions, yet the systemic response was inadequate to ensure her safety. This situation raises serious concerns about how the legal protections are implemented and whether they truly safeguard individuals at risk.

The article argues that protective measures are not sufficient on their own; they require comprehensive institutional support, including proper execution, monitoring, and collaboration among public safety agencies, the judiciary, and the public prosecutor's office. The urgency of addressing these issues is critical as they largely contribute to the persistent cycle of violence against women in Brazil, where many victims find themselves without adequate protection despite the legal frameworks in place.