Man ordered to pay $4,000 for stalking ex-partner with over 60 calls in one day
A Brazilian court has ordered a man to pay R$ 4,000 (approximately $750 USD) in moral damages to his ex-partner for stalking behavior. The man was found guilty of stalking after making over 60 phone calls to the woman in a single day and engaging in other persistent harassing actions. The incident occurred in São Gotardo, in the Alto Paranaíba region of Minas Gerais. The court also sentenced him to nine months in prison under an open regime, which was suspended for two years pending his compliance with judicial conditions. The case was handled by the Specialized Criminal Nucleus of Justice 4.0 of the Court of Justice of Minas Gerais (TJMG), upholding a previous sentence from the São Gotardo District Court. The couple had been in a stable union for seven years and shared a daughter. Following their separation in August 2021, the man's behavior escalated, including visiting her workplace and attempting to force her into his car, as well as repeatedly driving past a restaurant where she was dining with friends. The defense argued that digital evidence lacked proper forensic examination and that the man's intentions were solely related to their daughter. However, the TJMG confirmed the conviction, citing the victim's testimony, witness accounts, and the digital records as sufficient proof of stalking. The court characterized the man's actions as psychological violence within the context of domestic violence, noting that they restricted the ex-partner's freedom and invaded her privacy.
This judicial decision underscores the legal framework established in Brazil since 2021 to address stalking and psychological violence within domestic disputes. The court's emphasis on the cumulative impact of the perpetrator's actions—repetitive calls, workplace visits, and public harassment—highlights the evolving understanding of how digital and physical intrusions can constitute severe emotional distress and a violation of personal liberty. The ruling demonstrates a judicial system increasingly equipped to recognize and penalize behaviors that, while not physically violent, inflict significant harm by eroding a victim's sense of safety and autonomy. Future legal and societal responses may focus on preventative measures and enhanced support systems for victims, alongside robust enforcement of existing anti-stalking legislation, particularly in the context of post-separation relationship dynamics.
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