Model slams country’s legal system after she was arrested for walking her dogs topless
A Brazilian model has spoken out after being arrested for walking her dogs topless.
Caroline Werner was out walking her dogs in Balneário Camboriú located in Santa Catarina, Brazil, earlier this year on 13 May when she was reportedly approached by authorities.
The 37-year-old model was handcuffed by municipal guards, Brazilian outlet G1 reports, and taken to the police station.
Why? Because she was spotted walking without a top on.
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Werner tells G1 that she was out on the 'beach' while 'walking the dogs' when she decided to remove her top.
"When crossing the street to leave the dogs, I was approached by the Municipal Guard in a completely arbitrary and disproportionate way. They arrived already putting my hands behind me and handcuffing me," she continued to say.
The model also claims she was taken to 'a dark cell' when she arrived at the police station, and 'handcuffed to the cell railing' - spending 'more than an hour in that situation'.
She claims: "Even though I had asked for I was denied my right to speak to my lawyer several times."
Werner has since hit out at Brazilian authorities, arguing 'many countries' see being partially nude in public as a 'normal practice' and that a woman's body should not be 'objectified [or] hypersexualised'.
She continues to G1: [Translation] "Unfortunately in my country, even though the Constitution ensures gender equality, in practice this does not happen, I cannot have the same freedom and I feel coerced into doing so by this system and the repressive interpretation of the law.
"What should be natural for both genders ends up being denied to one of them in an arbitrary and repressive manner."
Civil Police confirmed to G1 that Werner was taken to the police station, however, she was released after being processed.
The Municipal Guard of Balneário Camboriú said they were called to the scene after receiving a complaint, had tried to talk to Werner but she 'uttered insults' and then allegedly screamed when they stopped her.
They report they had an item of clothing to cover Werner and had to use 'progressive force'.
The model and businesswoman is being investigated on suspicion of obscenity and she could subsequently face a fine or even between three months to a year in prison if found guilty of the charge.
Werner moved from the area shortly after the incident, saying she had to 'reestablish' herself which was 'very difficult'.
Article 233 of Brazil's Penal Code states obscenity as being - 'Performing an obscene act in a public place, either open or exposed to the public' - however, G1 notes it doesn't exemplify what such an 'obscene act' could be.
According to world-beach guide Beach Atlas, public nudity is allowed in some parts of Brazil.
It states: "Generally, public nudity in Brazil is considered offensive and is prohibited.
"However, Brazil's government acknowledges the naturist lifestyle and, accordingly, allows nudity in assigned naturist beaches and specific authorized areas."
She resolved: "I was labeled crazy and I still am today because of the outdated mentality of many. I was exposed a lot by the videos that circulated on the internet. It's very difficult to be a woman in our country.
"What happened to me, the abuse of authority and judgment by society, demonstrate how the interpretation of the law itself reflects gender conduct dictated by patriarchal, violent culture, in relation to the control of female bodies."
G1 reports the case being in the prelimary phase at the Public Ministry of Santa Catarina (MPSC).
The outlet also says Werner was offered a criminal settlement but did not attend the hearing.
However, Werner's lawyer, Henrique Quintanilha, says she wasn't notified of it.
UNILAD has contacted the Polícia Civil do Estado de Santa Catarina and Caroline Werner for further comment.
Topics: World News, Crime, True crime, Dogs, Police
Poppy Bilderbeck