EDITORIAL

Abstract

The fourth volume of the International Journal of Victimology and Restorative Justice brings an important innovation to victims’ rights with the implementation of Infovítimas Brasil by the Instituto Pró Vítima, the first version of the Infovictims.com project outside Europe. The project aims to transform the way we communicate with victims, presenting not only the right to information but also a true system of assertive and accessible communication. Levent Altan (Belgium) and Solène Boudouin-Naneix (France) from Victim Support Europe write about the partnership. Despite the work carried out by the Instituto Pró Vítima for the approval of the Victim Statute (PL n. 3.890-2020), the study of the topic has never been more current with the risk of approval by the Chamber of Deputies of Bill n. 1904-2024, which, among other technical improprieties, criminalizes the victim of rape who performs an abortion if the viability of the pregnancy is confirmed, equating her to a murderer. Conversely, we have the Judiciary and the Public Prosecutor’s Office which, in the face of notorious legislative omission, have expanded their regulations aiming at the training of their members and have begun to exercise the role of true protagonists of public policies in favor of the rights of victims of crimes, public calamities, and natural disasters, including through the establishment of victim support centers throughout the country. Within this context, Celeste Leite dos Santos (Brazil-SP) presents a reflection on judicial policies for confronting and supporting victims of crimes and infractions, especially with regard to the right to assistance, moving Victimology from the stage of formulating its precepts to its systematic practical application. Miguel Correia (Portugal) brings us a reflection on the importance of scientific research on educational phenomena, understanding them as social phenomena and, therefore, subject to socio-community intervention. One of the main pillars of Victimology is precisely the prevention of victimization itself, from which we can deduce the importance of reflecting on the educational phenomenon and the effective participation of the community in its development. Journalist Sérgio Nazzaro (Italy) brings us a reflection on organized crime in the Mediterranean region through the article entitled “Nigerian Mafia”. The need for the implementation of public policies for victim reparation is the theme of the article by Shirley Lizak Zulfan (Brazil-SP). Gender policy and human rights in the countries of the Northern and Southern Cone was the theme addressed by Antónia Maria Barradas (Portugal). Ana Wernke (Brazil-RJ) brings us an epistemological perspective on climate crises from a gender perspective. The presence (or absence) of the police within educational establishments, as well as the impact of generative intelligence on the military judicial police, were the themes presented by Vilmar Duarte Maciel (Brazil-SP). Larissa de Souza Matos de Jesus (Brazil-MT) brings us the need to prioritize access to public services for children of femicide victims, from a social assistance perspective. The application of Restorative Justice in post-war contexts is the theme of Luciana de Carvalho Medeiros (Brazil-MG). The issue of psychopathy and criminal responsibility was addressed by Larrisa Roberta Tavernari Fontoura (Brazil-SP). The impact of rape culture on the victimization process was the theme developed by Guilherme de Lima Viana (Brazil-SP). How to heal emotional trauma was the theme of Melanie de Carvalho Tonsic (Brazil-MT). “24 Seconds in Brazil: Bill no. 1904/2024” was the theme addressed by Luciana Sabbatine Neves (Brazil-SP).

The complexity and variety of challenges faced by Victimology in the 21st century, as evidenced by the topics of the articles in this volume, provoke deep reflections and instigate the continuous improvement of its postulates. Bringing quality knowledge and information is one of the missions of the Institute. Happy reading!

Celeste Leite dos Santos
Marilene Pereira Araújo 
Vanessa Therezinha Sousa de Almeida