The Law '' Maria da Penha ''

The law '' Maria da Penha ''
(number 11,340) decreed by the National Congress and sanctioned by Brazil's President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva on August 7, 2006; promotes the increase in the severity of punishments of violence against women when occurring in domestic or family scenario. The law entered into force on September 22, 2006, and the next day, the first assailant was arrested in Rio de Janeiro, after trying to strangle the ex-wife.