In São Paulo — Brazil’s largest metropolis and one of the regions most affected by domestic violence — a name has become synonymous with compassion and justice: Alexsandro Paes Leite, a civil police investigator with over thirty years of service and a former Methodist pastor.
Working at the Women’s Defense Station Online (DDM Online), Leite has dedicated his life to assisting women who suffer abuse and domestic violence, transforming this public service initiative into a benchmark for female protection across Latin America. The online unit, created by the State Government of São Paulo, allows victims to file reports and request protective measures around the clock without leaving home — a model that has inspired other countries in the region.
“In many cases, women contact us in complete despair. My duty as a police officer and as a human being is to provide not only legal protection but also emotional support and hope,” Leite explains. His work goes beyond police procedures: he listens, guides, and supports victims with the empathy of someone who views public service as a lifelong mission.
The impact is measurable. In the first quarter of 2024 alone, more than 8,000 protective measures were granted through the DDM Online platform. Chief Cláudia Nogueira Cobra Martinez, the program’s coordinator, highlights Leite’s exceptional performance: “Alexsandro is an outstanding professional. He combines technical precision with a rare sensitivity in handling victims of violence.”
Leite’s two decades of service as a Methodist pastor taught him to address emotional and spiritual wounds as deeply as physical ones — a skill that now shapes his human-centered approach to law enforcement. Over the years, his efforts have been formally recognized through commendations and official honors from city councils across São Paulo State.
Building upon this experience, Leite founded EmpowerPath Solutions, a social-impact project that began in Brazil and is now expanding to the United States. The initiative proposes a Latin American model for combating human trafficking and supporting survivors of gender-based violence, integrating legal aid, vocational training, and trauma-informed care.
“Our goal is to show that Brazil not only faces these challenges but also develops compassionate, effective solutions,” says Leite. “Latin America must stand together in this fight, and EmpowerPath is our contribution to that cause.”
Today, Alexsandro Paes Leite is recognized not merely as a law-enforcement officer, but as a symbol of hope for countless women who have reclaimed their dignity through his dedication and empathy.
From Brazil to the World: EmpowerPath Solutions Emerges as One of Latin America’s Largest Initiatives Against Human Trafficking
Human trafficking remains one of the most profitable and devastating crimes in the world — and Latin America is among the hardest-hit regions. Confronted with this reality, Alexsandro Paes Leite, a veteran civil police investigator from São Paulo and longtime Methodist pastor, created EmpowerPath Solutions, now recognized as one of Latin America’s largest initiatives focused on the reintegration of trafficking and gender-violence survivors.
Headquartered in Brazil and expanding into the United States, EmpowerPath Solutions combines humanitarian care, legal assistance, professional training, and data-driven intelligence to combat trafficking in all its forms. The idea was born from Leite’s daily encounters with victims during his years at the Women’s Defense Station Online — encounters that revealed how urgent it was to go beyond rescue and provide long-term restoration.
“The project was inspired by real cases — women who didn’t just need a police report, they needed a future,” says Leite.
EmpowerPath’s model integrates psychological and spiritual counseling, job-readiness programs, corporate ethics compliance, and cross-border law-enforcement partnerships. With the support of both public institutions and private organizations, it has become a continental reference in merging public safety and social inclusion.
According to the United Nations, over 27 million people worldwide are victims of human trafficking, and more than 60 percent of reported cases in Latin America involve women and children. Against this alarming backdrop, EmpowerPath Solutions has achieved tangible results, helping numerous survivors find employment and rebuild their lives with dignity.
The project also works directly with Latin American corporations to establish ethical-labor certifications through the EmpowerPath Compliance Seal, ensuring transparent and exploitation-free supply chains.
For Leite, the initiative’s significance extends far beyond national borders: “EmpowerPath was born in Brazil, but it carries a continental vision. Latin America must become a global leader in the fight against human trafficking.”
Drawing inspiration from Brazil’s landmark Maria da Penha Law — one of the world’s most comprehensive frameworks for protecting women — Leite has built a legacy that merges compassion, law enforcement, and innovation. Today, EmpowerPath Solutions solidifies Brazil’s position as a Latin American hub of excellence in combating gender-based violence and human trafficking, projecting local experience onto the global stage.
