To reinforce that harassment, sexual harassment and disrespect towards women have no place at Carnival, the Ministry of Women mobilized the state secretariats for women’s policies to expand the reach of the “If you call or I’ll call 180” campaign.
The objective is to call on society not to turn a blind eye to situations of harassment and violence during the festivities. Regardless of the reveler’s clothing or alcohol intake.
The ministry explains that, especially in crowded environments – such as street blocks and concerts – reports of inappropriate touching, forced kisses, groping of victims, insistent approaches and sexual comments are common. These conducts violate rights, cause embarrassment and can lead to criminal liability.
In total, 18 states in all regions of the country have already joined the campaign: Bahia, Rio de Janeiro, Pernambuco, Alagoas, Amapá, Amazonas, Ceará, Espírito Santo, Maranhão, Mato Grosso do Sul, Minas Gerais, Pará, Paraíba, Piauí, Rio Grande do Norte, Roraima, Sergipe and Tocantins.
Campaign actions
In several participating states, women’s policy bodies set up support points and tents in high-traffic areas, where banners were installed with the messages “If you call or I will call 180” and “Violence against women is a crime. Report it. Call 180. In case of emergency, call 190”.
At the site, leaflets and gifts such as ribbons, stickers and temporary tattoos, bracelets, visors are being distributed, as well as information material on the public structures available for the protection and reception of women victims of violence.
The Ministry of Women also installed large inflatable balloons on avenues in several capitals.
Ligue 180 is also promoted during Carnival by sending messages to women’s cell phones in seven cities where large Carnival celebrations take place: Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Salvador, Belo Horizonte, Recife, Olinda and Maceió.
How to report
The guidance of the Ministry of Women’s campaign is that Carnival is a time of joy, but any touching, approaching or exposure without consent is a crime and must be reported.
THE law no. 13,718/2018 typifies sexual harassment as a crime, characterized by any libidinous act carried out against someone without consent. The penalty is imprisonment for one to five years, if the act does not constitute a more serious crime.
The victim of any form of violence or anyone who witnesses a situation of this type must seek help immediately and report the aggressor.
Find out more about reporting channels:
- Call 180 – Women’s Service Center: Provides guidance on women’s rights and services within the service network, registers reports of violence against women and forwards them to the competent authorities;
- 190 – Military Police of each state: for situations of immediate risk, such as in cases of physical aggression, threats, persecution or ongoing violence;
- Specialized Women’s Assistance Police Stations (DEAMs) for specialized face-to-face assistance for women in situations of violence; for recording police reports; and Referral to psychological, social and legal support services. Assistance by teams trained to deal with cases of gender-based violence;
- Look for the organization of the block, event or space where the violent situation occurred to inform security guards, brigade members, monitors or those responsible and ask for support to identify the aggressor and guarantee the woman’s immediate safety.
Partnerships
In addition to the mobilization in the states for the campaign, “Se Liga ou eu Eu Ligo 180” has the support of Caixa Econômica Federal, which included awareness messages on tickets issued at lottery outlets across the country during the carnival period, reinforcing that “Carnival is a party, but harassment is a crime. Report it. Call 180. Urgency, call 190.”
Another partner in the mobilization is the Federal Highway Police (PRF)with the advertising of Ligue 180 on tracks available at strategic points on federal highways in 27 capitals, during this period of the year.
Highway concessionaires are also part of the initiative and display campaign messages on electronic panels, toll plazas and communication channels with road users, expanding the reach of information and strengthening the women’s protection network.
With support from the Ministry of Women, the Federal Government also launched other campaigns to guarantee a violence-free Carnival: “Without Racism, Carnival Brilha Mais”, promoted by the Ministry of Racial Equality, and “Pule, Brinque e Cuide”, by the Ministry of Human Rights and Citizenship (MDHC), focusing on combating abuse and sexual exploitation of children and adolescents.
Call 180
Ligue 180 is the telephone call center for women. The call is free and the service operates 24 hours a day, every day of the week, including during Carnival.
Reporting violence against a woman can be made anonymously, and the service covers the entire national territory. It is also possible to make the call from anywhere in Brazil or activate the channel via chat on Whatsapp (61) 9610-0180.
Currently, the women’s service center – Call 180 – has more than 350 professionals, including attendants, coordinators and technical staff, prepared to offer reception, guidance and referral to the protection network for women in situations of violence across the country.
