House Approves Immediate Divorce in Domestic Abuse Cases

By Xiu Ying, Contributing Reporter

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The House of Representatives passed a bill that allows victims of domestic abuse to petition the judge for an immediate decree of divorce or the breach of common-law union. The issue will be taken to Senate for discussion.

The approved text establishes that a victim must be informed of the right to file for immediate divorce and for the court to rule on the matter, dealing with the sharing of assets at a later stage.

The rapporteur for the approved text, Erika Kokay (PT-DF), pointed out that the law now allows divorce or the dissolution of marriage in any case, without the need for the victim to prove domestic abuse for the legal bond to be broken.

“The point is to draw attention to the fact that there is still great misinformation regarding the possibility of immediately filing for divorce among victims of domestic and family abuse and it is useful to clarify the victims in this regard”, said the deputy.

Maternity Leave

In another voting session, parliamentarians approved a proposal to extend the start of maternity leave to women who remain in hospital for over three days. The bill will also be taken to Senate for discussion.

According to the text, the license may be suspended should the newborn remain hospitalized, at the sole discretion of the worker. Suspension should occur after at least 15 days of leave taken. The discontinued leave is to be resumed as soon as the newborn is released from hospital.

Similarly, payment of maternity wages will accompany the suspension of leave and will be resumed when the child is released from hospital.