Fortaleza forces gyms to report cases of harassment against women to the police within 24 hours

Sports academies and similar establishments in Fortaleza are now obliged to report cases of harassment against women that occur on their premises to the police. The measure has been in force since last Friday (18), when it was sanctioned by Mayor Evandro Leitão (PT) and published in the Official Gazette of the Municipality.

According to the new rule, gyms must report the case to the competent police authority within a maximum period of 24 hours after the discovery or formal communication of the occurrence of harassment against women, with the express consent of the victim.

The legislation highlights that the action does not replace or impede the woman's right to report directly to the police authority.

Furthermore, the law requires the gym to adopt other measures in the event of harassment occurring within the establishment, such as a warning and temporary suspension of the alleged aggressor's access.

The new law was authored by the president of the Fortaleza City Council (CMFor), Leo Couto (PSB). According to the parliamentarian, the idea of ​​the measure is to make gyms safer environments for women.

Gyms now have new obligations regarding harassment in Fortaleza — Photo: Pixabay

Other measures

In addition to the obligation to report harassment, Law No. 11,695/2026 also establishes a series of prevention, coping and administrative response measures that gyms must comply with. Among the obligations in the event of harassment, gyms must:

adopt an internal harassment prevention policy, with clear rules of conduct and accessible reporting channels;

display, in a visible place, informative posters about the prohibition of harassment, users' rights and the available reporting channels;

train its employees and collaborators to adequately welcome the victim, preserve physical and psychological integrity and correctly handle the incident;

ensure, whenever possible, a safe and reserved environment for initial care for the victim.

Failure to comply with the new rules may subject the academy to administrative sanctions, including:

warning;

fine;

suspension of the operating license;

revocation of the license, in cases of serious recurrence.

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