JUDICIAL INSTITUTIONS AND SOCIAL MOVEMENTS: INTERACTIONS IN COMBATING VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN

This paper analyzes the interaction between feminist social movements and local political actors in efforts to combat domestic violence, as well as the role of these movements in the implementation of the Judicial Unit Specialized in Domestic Violence Against Women attached to the judiciary of the Brazilian municipality of Santo André, São Paulo (Anexo de Violência Doméstica Contra a Mulher), which is the object of the study. The research adopts a qualitative case study approach, theoretically grounded in the concept of political mobilization of justice by social movements. The analysis draws on documents such as laws, ordinances, provisions, agreements, and newspaper articles, complemented by interviews with two judges from the judicial unit, one judge from the Criminal Executions Court, four feminist activists from local social movements, and one city council member engaged in the issue. The findings reveal a strong link between social movements and local public authorities, which proved crucial to the establishment of the judicial unit, thereby contributing to the effective implementation of a judicial public policy.

Keywords:
social movements; judicial institutions; combating violence against women; implementation of public policies; local power.