Lei Maria da Penha turns 20; domestic violence grows in Amazonas The year was 2018 when nursing technician Eriberta da Silva Gomes began to suffer attacks at home. According to her, the violence occurred mainly during the early hours of the morning, after arguments with her then husband. "Usually the attacks happened when we argued during the day. We went to sleep and, when I was sleeping, he hit me on the head out of nowhere. Instead of solving it when everyone was awake, he left it to be done when we had already gone to sleep", he recalls. ?? This Friday (7), the Maria da Penha Law turns 20 years old. To mark the date, g1 tells stories of women who broke the cycle of violence and rebuilt their lives. After about two years of living with the attacks, Eriberta decided to seek help. In 2020, she filed a complaint with the Police Station Specialized in Crimes Against Women and obtained a protective measure. “I went looking for help, for help at the Women’s Police Station, and they granted the protective measure because I was suffering attacks,” he said. According to data from the Women's Service Center – Call 180, from the Ministry of Women, almost 70% of complaints registered in 2025 indicated that violence occurred within the home. In many cases, the aggressor is someone who, to other people, appears to have an ordinary life. "He was completely beyond suspicion. He didn't drink, he practiced combat sports, everything was fine to a certain extent," he said. Maria da Penha Law turns 20 in 2026. Freepik Children also suffered from violence In addition to the fear of the attacks themselves, Eriberta had another concern: her two children, who witnessed the violence. "My two children would wake up crying, hearing the noise and commotion. I had to gather strength and get out of that situation because it could end in something worse than aggression, and I might not be here to tell that story." Even after the protective measure, she says that her ex-partner refused to leave the residence where the family lived. "I filed a complaint, got the measure, but he didn't want to leave the house. We lived above my parents' house and he said it was his house, that he was going to stay there. He only left when the bailiff entered the house and ordered him to leave the property." With the support of the women's protection network, she and her children began to receive psychological support. "At the time I had the support of the women's network. My children received psychological care, I also had support and guidance so that they could get it all out. To this day my daughter remembers that time, but not with the same pain she felt." The service network includes the State Reference and Support Center for Women, Cream. A place that has the support of social workers, psychologists, pedagogues and administrative support professionals dedicated to welcoming victims and providing guidance on their rights. Cream is located at Avenida Presidente Kennedy, 399, in the Educandos neighborhood. “Today I see that it was a liberation” Years later, Eriberta states that she can look at the past with a different feeling. "Today, looking back, I see that it was God's deliverance, literally. I already saw myself as dead, because the attacks happened and I always tried to defend myself for myself and for the children. We never know where it will end." She also warns about the prejudice faced by women who are victims of violence. "There is always discrimination. People say that women are in that situation because they want to be, that they are to blame. But that's not the case", he highlights. Currently, Eriberta is trained as a nursing technician, also works as a massage therapist and is completing a degree. She says she intends to create a support group to encourage other women to break the cycle of violence. "I always say to have faith, regardless of religion, not to give up, seek help and gather strength to seek out the right people. It's one day after another." Where to seek help Women in situations of violence can seek assistance at Police Stations Specialized in Crimes Against Women, contact the Military Police by calling 190 or seek guidance and support through the Women's Assistance Center, via Call 180, a free service that operates 24 hours a day throughout the country. The Women's police stations operate at three addresses: Avenida Mário Ypiranga, 3395, Parque 10 de Novembro, Central-South Zone. Rua Desembargador Filismo Soares, Colônia Oliveira Machado, South Zone. Avenida Nossa Senhora da Conceição, Cidade de Deus, East Zone. Violence against women: how to ask for help