This article presents an exploratory study of identity change of witnesses and victims in Brazil under the Program of Protection of Victims and Witnesses (Federal Act 9.807/99). Accordingly, part of the concepts of identity and subjectivity as key elements to identify and understand the objective and subjective impacts of these measures were used. As Brazilian empirical studies about identity change were lacking, other foreign experiences were used for comparison. The data were obtained through the application of semi-structured questionnaire to the experts who were active in the Program. This investigation was carried out to obtain a better understanding of the identity change as a protection measure which is scarcely used and also to contribute for the improvement of the Brazilian policy. Finally, it recognizes the importance of Psychology in the process of identity change of threatened people.
human rights; social issues; subjectivity; violence
