Legislation
What is Estatuto da Criança e do Adolescente (ECA, Statute of the Child and Adolescent)?
The Estatuto da Criança e do Adolescente (ECA, Statute of the Child and Adolescent) was created by virtue of Law No. 8,069, on July 13, 1990. It establishes that children or adolescents are a main concern.
The Statute of the Child and Adolescent (SCA) states that childhood goes all the way up to 12 years old. Adolescence is from 12 to 18 years of age.
It also stipulates that children and adolescents are the main concern of the family and society. For this reason, guaranteeing their rights is an absolute priority. The law also determines that the violation of these rights is to be punished (see page 12 for clarification). The United Nations, on the other hand, stipulates that children are every human being under the age of 18.
