The Federal Council of Psychology (CFP) decided this Friday (31) to maintain the penalty of "public censorship" against Rozângela Justino, applied by the Regional Council of Psychology of Rio de Janeiro in 2007. The psychologist was denounced by movements defending the sexual freedom, for offering healing treatment for homosexuals in his office in Rio.
The process reached the Federal Council on the initiative of the psychologist herself, who, not accepting the decision of the Regional Council, decided to file an appeal in an attempt to have the process annulled. The president of the CFP, Dr. Humberto Verona, explained that the counselors followed the understanding of the body in Rio de Janeiro. In cases of patients who have problems with sexual orientation, the professional must work with therapies for acceptance and overcoming suffering. "We will listen to the person, help them face their suffering, but never promise or guide them to reverse their sexual orientation," he said.
Regarding the content of the decision, considered lenient by some, he justified that the initiative for the appeal came from the defendant and in this case there were few alternatives left for the Council. "When it is the professional who appeals, this Court cannot aggravate the sentence but rather soften what was not accepted by the Council or maintain the decision of the regional body", he explained. If the appeal had been filed by another protagonist – in this case the complainants – other mechanisms could have been used in the decision to reduce or intensify the sentence.
Verona countered one of Rozângela Justino's arguments in which she stated that she provided care based on the ICD-10 (International Classification of Diseases manual) governed by the World Health Organization, where there are articles that refer to psychological and behavioral disorders associated with development sexual orientation and their orientation, which deserved specific treatment. He countered this with another article from the ICD-10 itself which states that "sexual orientation in itself should not be seen as a disorder".
Rozângela left the trial dismayed and tried to avoid the press. Disguised with a wig and sunglasses, she also wore a mask in reference to the gag she said she received from the Federal Council of Psychology. "I was gagged by the Council and prevented from helping people in psychological distress because of their guidance," she alleged. She also said that her right to professional, scientific and expression freedom was curtailed.
He also questioned the constitutionality of resolution No. 01/99 of the Federal Psychology Council used to guide the exercise of the profession and used as an argument for his conviction. The resolution assumes that "homosexuality does not constitute a disease, disorder or perversion." The sole paragraph of the resolution highlights that "psychologists will not collaborate with events and services that propose treatment and cure for homosexuality."
Rozângela also took the opportunity to make a recommendation to patients. "You can look for other professionals in your city to get the support you need." In the end, she stated that she will continue her professional activity normally and that she just wants to be an ordinary person. And regarding the disguise, she said she feared some violence from homosexual activists who, according to the psychologist, were "very angry and disgusted with their work."
Appeal to the Federal Court
Rozângela entered the Federal Regional Court of the 1st Region with a writ of mandamus requesting an injunction requesting the suspension of her administrative proceedings at the CFP and, consequently, the annulment of the trial. For her, the reasons for the process were unreasonable and she never wanted to promote a cure for homosexuality, but rather to help patients deal with disorders arising from sexual orientation. The substitute federal judge of the 15th Court/DF, Emília Maria Velano, denied the request, arguing that the Judiciary could only interfere if there was some type of affront to constitutional principles.
Public Censorship
The penalty of public censorship consists of publication of the fact in the press, especially in the newspaper of the Federal Psychology Council, in addition to publication in the Official Gazette and other media in Rio de Janeiro. Work that will be carried out by the Rio Regional Psychology Council.
The Regional Psychology Council will continue to guide and monitor Rozângela and other professionals in the field who offer this type of "cure" or publicly advocate treatments that change people's sexual orientation. If the psychologist is a repeat offender, she will be prosecuted again and for this reason the sentence will be increased.
* Special for the website The Cape.
