we adopt the position that he (the aggressor) deserves to be punished in accordance with Brazilian laws, but believing also that this man is capable of reversing his behaviors and assuming a process of change for which he needs support." In California, Section 273.5 of the state's penal code allows the aggressor to be sentenced to state prison for two, three, or four years, or in a county jail for not more than one year and/or fined up to $6,000. Probation can be granted or the execution or imposition of a sentence suspended upon condition that the aggressor attend a batterer's treatment program. He may also have to make payments to a battered woman's shelter of an amount up to $5,000 along with reimbursing the victim for any expenses incurred for medical and psychological treatment. In Brazil, the aggressor can be sentenced to prison for 1-8 years, depending upon the severity of the crime, or have the confinement substituted for by imposition of a fine. Always flexible in its approach, the law does provide leeway for diminishment or increase within these sentencing guidelines based on circumstances. In the U.S., men's batterer programs seem to be fairly standard in format. They consist of 1) education on the dy-
bill. Both women have strong personalities and it will be interesting to see what changes and advances would be made in handling domestic violence under their leadership. But whatever the result of the presidential election in Brazil, it remains to be seen how both of these two nations, located on opposite sides of the equator, will continue to address and try to resolve the issues, attitudes and beliefs contributing to their particular situations in respect to domestic violence.
namics of battering, male socialization and cultural learning, and how violence affects the victim and others who may have witnessed the incident. 2) values assessment in the form of group therapy 3) communication strategies for decision making and conflict resolution. The programs usually last from 3 to 12 months and participants are generally discharged after completing the required number of meetings regardless of actual performance in the group sessions. In Brazil, psychological treatment is customized to the aggressor based on 1) the degree and complexity of the problem. 2) the individual's motivation to change, and 3) the resources available through existing organizations and structures. It is postulated that treatment "should be given to each man until the point where he wishes to and assumes thought, vision, and self-awareness, and subsequently modifies his attitudes and behavior." According to the Jornal do Brasil of August 16, 2002, if elected in October, Brazilian PT (Partido dos Trabalhadores(Worker's Party)candidate, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, plans to create the office ofNational Secretary ofthe Rights of Women and is looking to Sao Paulo mayor Marta Suplicy or Rio de Janeiro governor, Bernedita da Silva, to fill that
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Jennifer Grant wishes to thank Jazon da Silva Santos, Los Angeles resident, formerly of Maceie, for equipping her with the Portuguese language skills necessary to research this article along with Ana Paula Duarte, Los Angeles resident, formerly of Rio, and Eduardo Borgerth of Niteroi for helping her to maintain them. She is a free-lance journalist and former victim advocate for the L.A. District Attorney's Office. She hopes her future will include journalism and Christian missionary work in Brazil along with promoting better understanding between the citizens of both Brazil and the U.S. You may write her in either English or Portuguese at siennigAyahoo.com
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