Man Sentenced for Assaulting Partner and Insulting Autistic Stepson in Rio Grande do Norte

A man in Caicó, Rio Grande do Norte, has been sentenced to three years in prison, served under an open regime, for physically assaulting his partner and verbally abusing her teenage son, who has Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The incident occurred in March 2025, following an argument after the man returned from a carnival party upset that his partner had not accompanied him. The prosecution, led by the Public Prosecutor's Office of Rio Grande do Norte (MPRN), detailed that the physical abuse was confirmed by the victim's testimony and corroborated by witnesses, including the victim's mother and a responding police officer. The court also noted that the man directed derogatory remarks at the adolescent specifically related to his ASD. The judge, Janaína Lobo da Silva of the 2nd Court of Caicó, cited the police report, arrest warrant, and forensic examination, which confirmed injuries consistent with the victim's account, as evidence of the crimes. The sentence was handed down under the Maria da Penha Law, recognizing domestic and family violence based on gender. The conviction for insult was based on legislation protecting children and adolescents, due to the discriminatory nature of the offenses targeting the young man because of his disability. The judge highlighted the adolescent's testimony as spontaneous, coherent, and consistent with other evidence. In addition to the prison sentence and a fine, the defendant was ordered to pay R$ 2,500 in minimum compensation for moral damages to the victim.