RESTORATIVE JUSTICE: POSSIBILITIES AND LIMITATIONS IN ADDRESSING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN

Abstract

Domestic violence against women remains a serious social and legal challenge in Brazil, even after the enactment of the Maria da Penha Law. In this context, Restorative Justice emerges as an alternative and complementary paradigm to the traditional penal system, proposing damage reparation, the active accountability of the offender, and the reconstruction of bonds through mediated dialogue. This paper aims to analyze the possibilities and limitations of applying Restorative Justice in tackling domestic violence against women within the Brazilian legal system. Through qualitative, bibliographic, and documentary research, its normative foundations are examined, with emphasis on CNJ Resolution No. 225/2016, as well as existing national experiences. The results indicate that the restorative model offers potential contributions, such as victim empowerment and recidivism prevention through a reflective process. However, it becomes evident that its application in this field is permeated by significant risks, especially revictimization due to power asymmetries and social pressure for reconciliation. It is concluded that Restorative Justice should not replace the protective penal response but can act as a complementary instrument, provided that rigorous admission criteria, specialized training for teams, and effective integration with the protection network of the Maria da Penha Law are observed.