THE EDUCATIONAL AND PREVENTIVE POTENTIAL OF TRUE CRIME IN THE PERSPECTIVE OF VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN: AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE EFFECTIVENESS OF CRIME EXPOSURE AS AN AWARENESS-RAISING TOOL

Abstract

This article investigates aspects related to the true crime genre, from its emergence to its recent and growing popularity, as it transcends mere entertainment by offering significant educational and preventative potential in the context of combating violence against women. It also considers the motivation of the female audience (the largest consumer) for this content in its various forms: series, films, miniseries, and even podcasts (the genre's most recent configuration). By exposing real cases of femicide, domestic and sexual violence, these narratives break the silence and denaturalize gender violence, which is often minimized or made invisible in society. By detailing the cycle of violence and warning signs in abusive relationships, true crime equips women with crucial information for self-protection. Beyond individual survival, the genre stimulates a deeper public debate about the cultural and structural roots of violence, such as sexism and patriarchy, and the effectiveness of public policies, such as the Maria da Penha Law. In the meantime, the research focused on an analysis of pre-existing doctrine, through a deductive method and a bibliographic review of the period from 2013 to 2025 (based on books, scientific articles, publications and posts on this topic) seeking to bring a technical, well-founded view and finally propose suggestions directly linked to answering the problem question presented.