Securing justice for girls is central to Menindança’s work. Here our lawyers, Luisa and Antônio, talk about their vital role in giving girls hope and a voice.
Why is getting justice for girls so important?
Luisa: We need to break the cycle of violence, exploitation and sexual abuse. In our region it is sadly seen as part of the culture, but our work contributes to changing that.
Antônio: Justice is the key to changing a girl’s life. Without it, the hurt inflicted on her may never heal. We know we can’t erase what has happened to her, but we can embrace her and fight for her.
What does your work involve?
Antônio: First we get alongside the victim. It’s very moving to see the girl’s relief when she realises we are there to defend her. A lot of work has been done by the Pink House social workers and psychologists before we arrive, and we see the difference this makes. Each case is unique, but we try to work with the local child services network, whose job it is to protect and defend children and teenagers, first. If that doesn’t work, we will begin private proceedings through the courts.
Luisa: Raising awareness is also part of our work. Most girls who arrive in the Pink Houses don’t know they have been victims of a violation of their rights, they think sexual abuse and exploitation is normal. When they discover that it is wrong and a crime, this strengthens them and takes away their feelings of guilt.
What has most shocked you?
Luisa: The sluggishness of the Brazilian justice system. We Brazilians are used to this, but when we see it happen with these girls who have been victims of terrible crimes, their aggressors walking free, judges taking years to act, it fills me with anger.
It’s often difficult to distance oneself from the situations we deal with, young girls who have gone through so much. One case which affected me was when we acted against a construction company that had installed in one of the towns, whose employees were abusing poor girls for a burger because they were hungry. That shook me and made me more determined to keep fighting this evil. When I meet a girl I can’t help but see myself at her age.
What is the best part?
Antônio: When a girl learns what is right and wrong, and that she has rights and can use them. It’s not just good for her, but for society, because it means life will be different for future generations.
Luisa: I am of the opinon that every town in Brazil should have a Pink House! What happens here is incredible and I’m honoured to be a part of it. The thing that gives me most pleasure is seeing a girl smiling again, happy and with a will to live, whatever she may have gone through. We don’t win every battle, but we always fight as hard as we can. And the girls feel secure and content knowing they are no longer alone.”
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