Rio Carnival launches “No Means No” campaign against sexual harassment
“No Means No! Respect the decision.” With these words, the government of the state of Rio de Janeiro launched a campaign on Wednesday (Feb. 11) to combat harassment and sexual assault against women during Carnival. The action took place at Largo da Carioca, in downtown Rio de Janeiro, where informative materials were distributed.
The study Perception of Harassment at Carnival, by the Locomotiva Institute (2024), shows that 50 percent of women have already been victims of sexual harassment during Carnival festivities and that 73 percent are afraid of experiencing this situation for the first time or again.
Brazilian federal law in 2023 created the “No Means No” protocol for the prevention of harassment and violence against women and the protection of victims.
According to the law, harassment is defined as any physical or verbal insistence directed at a woman after she has expressed her refusal.
Sexual harassment, also provided for under Brazilian legislation, is defined as any sexual act carried out without the victim’s consent.
This conduct may constitute a crime punishable by one to five years in prison, with harsher penalties if the aggressor has an intimate relationship with the victim.
Partnerships
In addition to the action carried out this Wednesday at Largo da Carioca, partnerships were established with other sectors across the city to reinforce the campaign during Carnival. The “No Means No” protocol has already reached approximately 2 million people and trained more than 15,000 professionals throughout the state.
The Brazilian Association of Bars and Restaurants (Abrasel) and the Rio de Janeiro State Secretariat for Women also signed a Technical Cooperation Agreement this week.
Information signs
The Rio Municipal Secretariat for Women’s Policies and Care (SPM-Rio) will install informational signs in various parts of the city during Carnival with the message “Ask for help!”, including websites and phone numbers for assistance. One of the signs will be deployed on Marquês de Sapucaí Avenue, where the city’s main samba schools parade. The goal is to facilitate access for Brazilian women and tourists to a public network of protection and support.
*Intern Alice Rodrigues contributed to this report under the supervision of journalist Mariana Tokarnia.
