Listening to Repair: An Innovation in Partially Restorative Practices for Supporting Victims of State Violence at NAV

Abstract

This article discusses partially restorative and innovative practices in providing support to victims of State violence, based on the concepts of Restorative Justice and Victimology. Restorative Justice is presented as a method that prioritizes repairing harm caused to individuals and communities, fostering the active participation of all parties involved in rebuilding social ties. Victimology, in turn, shifts the focus from the offender to understanding the needs and rights of the victim, valuing their narrative and promoting symbolic and emotional reparation. In the context of police lethality in Rio de Janeiro’s favelas, the article highlights the role of the Victim Support Center (NAV) of the Public Prosecutor’s Office, which provides psychosocial assistance to victims of State violence, incorporating partially restorative practices. The creation of the Thematic Working Group (GTT) for External Control of Police Activity reinforces the importance of monitoring and humanizing the handling of conflicts arising from police violence. The analysis of police operations between 2020 and 2025 underscores the relevance of integrating legal, psychological, and social knowledge to foster institutional innovation and expand access to justice. The overall objective is to present the impact of the innovative practice implemented by NAV within the context of the Public Prosecutor’s Office, aiming to promote debate, contribute to the theoretical and practical expansion of Restorative Justice, and ensure broader protection of victims’ rights.