Identifying public policies: Public Defenders and men who broke the Maria da Penha Law

Abstract The evaluation of the assistance services provided by the Public Defender’s Office allows to identify demands and problems for public policies. This article presents the results of an observation research that evaluated the services of the Núcleo de Atendimento ao Homem Autor de Violência Doméstica e Familiar (Neah) (Support Center for men who committed Domestic and Family Violence), considering the testimonies of people assisted by the institution and their partners. From the results, it is possible to identify future actions and public policies aimed to prevent, promote self-reflection, and change the perception related to aggressive men. The results of the empirical observation highlight the paradox of the public policies of assistance to men accused of domestic violence, since the spouses’ evaluation about the police assistance and the assistance services offered by the DP-PA shows a dissatisfaction with the results of the services their partners receive. Men who participated in the therapeutic group expressed during the interviews that they experienced a change in behavior toward their spouses and their view about women.