Santarém Women's Police Station Now Operates 24/7, Sees High Demand on First Day
The Specialized Women's Police Station (Deam) in Santarém, Pará, has begun operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week. On its first day under the new schedule, the station processed 10 requests for urgent protective measures, made two arrests in flagrante delicto, and recorded several other police reports. This continuous operation is a direct response by the Pará State Government to a recent surge in violence against women and a series of femicides in the municipality. Previously, the unit only offered 24-hour service on weekends, operating during business hours on weekdays. The permanent 24-hour service was expedited following recent femicide cases, according to the head delegate, Márcia Rabelo, who emphasized the necessity of the round-the-clock availability based on the initial demand. Santarém is now the first city in the interior of Pará to have a Deam with uninterrupted service, which will be supported by integrated actions from the Military Police, including strengthened programs like Patrulha Maria da Penha and the SOS Mulher platform for silent emergency alerts. Governor Hana Ghassan announced the expansion alongside authorization for a new Civil Police public examination to increase staffing. Between January and July of this year, the Domestic and Family Violence Against Women Court received 1,873 requests for protective measures, averaging about 270 per month, with 902 ongoing criminal cases for domestic violence. Official data from January to June shows Santarém recorded two completed femicides, six attempted femicides, and 535 cases of bodily harm within domestic violence contexts, with three additional femicides occurring in July yet to be officially tallied.
The implementation of 24/7 service at the Santarém Women's Police Station addresses a critical public safety need, underscored by the high volume of protective measure requests and arrests on its inaugural day. This initiative reflects a systemic recognition of escalating gender-based violence and the inadequacy of previous response mechanisms. The integration with Military Police programs like Patrulha Maria da Penha and SOS Mulher suggests a multi-agency strategy aimed at improving response times and victim support. However, the long-term effectiveness will depend on sustained funding, adequate staffing levels resulting from the announced public examination, and ongoing evaluation of the integrated response protocols. The data on protective orders and ongoing cases highlight a persistent societal challenge, indicating that while enhanced policing is vital, broader societal interventions addressing the root causes of domestic violence and femicide are also essential for lasting change.
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