Para além do homem mau: o olhar das facilitadoras sobre a violência de gênero em grupos reflexivos

Abstract

This is a dissertation submitted to the Post-graduate Program in Human Rights, Citizenship and Public Policies at the Federal University of Paraíba. It sought to understand the dynamics of violence and its relationship with gender performances, as well as the prospects for tackling it through Reflective Groups for Perpetrators of Domestic Violence (GAVDs), which take place at the Public Defender's Office, through the Special Center for the Promotion and Defense of Women's Rights (NUDEM), in João Pessoa/PB. This qualitative/exploratory research utilized a combination of bibliographical, documentary, and field research methods. It is anchored in social theories that discuss gender, masculinities, and power relations, and also provides ethical contributions to dealing with male perpetrators of domestic violence (HAVs). Drawing on the perception and experience of the groups' facilitators, the data was collected through semi- structured interviews with the aid of a voice recorder, as well as a field diary. The linguistic material was analyzed using discourse analysis (Foucault, 1999) to elucidate the layers of knowledge and power that operate in the team's discourse and practice. The profile of the perpetrators reveals that violence is deeply rooted in daily family life and naturalized gender inequalities. According to the facilitators, domestic violence is influenced by multiple factors, such as a history of prior violence, machismo/virility, difficulty in emotional management, substance abuse, and affective and financial codependency. To intervene in these patterns, the GAVDs focus on four central objectives: promoting self-knowledge and reflection on behaviors; training in emotional management through psychoeducation; teaching conflict resolution strategies; and practicing empathy, deconstructing gender stereotypes. Despite the challenges, the initiative favors reflection and accountability and proves to be more effective than the punitive justice system in dealing with domestic violence and preventing recidivism. However, greater investment by the State in structure, training, and systematic evaluation of the groups is necessary for better utilization and effectiveness of the policy.