How to report harassment to the Military Public Ministry – 07/10/2023 – Power

Since March 2022, the Military Public Ministry has had a Women’s Ombudsman, a channel set up to receive reports of harassment, sexual harassment or other forms of embarrassment to women in the Armed Forces.

Complaints can be made via email [email protected] or by calling (21) 99873-9391 —the number also receives a WhatsApp message.

According to the coordinator of the ombudsman, attorney Najla Nassif Palma, the channel has so far received only five complaints since its creation. She has been giving talks at military units across the country to publicize the service.

“It’s about establishing the victim’s trust so that they can actually feel comfortable taking it forward. That’s why the numbers are increasing. Is more happening than in the past? My perception is that no. I think that in the past there was a hidden reality that didn’t come to light”, says the prosecutor.

Data from the STM (Superior Military Court) show that 56 criminal actions for the crimes have been opened since 2018. Since last year, there have been 29 complaints, the equivalent of 3 every 2 months. This count does not include ongoing investigations in military units or episodes kept secret by the victims.