Beyond institutional silence: How social representations and psychological capital shape police responses to femicide in Brazil

Abstract

This study investigates how social representations, organizational silence, and psychological capital (PsyCap) interact to shape police responses to femicide within the Civil Police of Bahia, Brazil. A qualitative approach was adopted, based on 32 semi-structured interviews with civil police officers and the analysis of 286 institutional documents produced between 2018 and 2024. The data were examined using content analysis and semantic network analysis. The results reveal the coexistence of competing representations of femicide within the same organization. While police officers predominantly interpret femicide as an expression of gender inequalities, patriarchal culture, and the subjugation of women, institutional narratives prioritize operational responses, prevention strategies, and the agency of the women themselves. This discrepancy appears to undermine positive psychological resources such as hope, self-efficacy, resilience, and optimism. The findings also suggest that organizational silence operates by regulating the visibility of competing interpretations, influencing the symbolic attribution of responsibility and creating conditions for the emergence of “reverse accountability”—a process wherein institutional narratives increasingly position women as the protagonists in preventing the violence they suffer, while structural and institutional responsibilities become relatively less visible. The study contributes by demonstrating that organizational silence acts as a mechanism regulating the visibility of meanings, explaining how competing interpretations gain institutional legitimacy, influence professionals' psychological resources, and foster the emergence of reverse accountability in responses to femicide.

Public Significance Statement

Police officers often acknowledge that femicide is driven by gender inequalities deeply rooted in society's culture, but the narratives in institutional messages may emphasize individual prevention, starting with women themselves, rather than structural causes. Recognizing this gap can help improve police training and the practices of police organizations, strengthen public policies, and support more effective responses to violence against women.