Scalping: justice for the invisible population

Abstract

The objective of this paper is to present the incidence of scalping in women transported on riverine vessels, which use long hair and that when they approach the shaft that connects the motor to the propeller (uncovered and without mechanical protection) have their hair entangled in the shaft and that are torn with violence, involving the scalp, the skin of the face, neck and ears; as well as the necessary public policies built and adopted to prevent and mitigate the terrible results of these accidents. The methodology adopted was case study based on existing processes in the Public Defender’s Office (DPU) coupled with participant observation conducted by the author. The theoretical framework was the establishment of public policies at the federal and state levels. The results of the study point to the need to: (a) adoption of regulatory policies on the acquisition and protection of motors and mandatory mechanical coverage of the shaft of riverine vessels, (b) financing of the acquisition of a new motor and its protection equipment, by public funds from the federal government, (c) adoption of public health policies to prevent accidents, rescue the injured, remedial cosmetic surgery and psychological support, and (d) adoption of public policies on education in accident prevention on the part of state governments. The findings point to the feasibility of eradication of scalping, and the feasibility of creating public financing to low-income persons, duly registered and with their boats legalized in the Port Authority, to acquire new motors, along with the structure of protection and coverage of the shaft.