The application of socio-educational measures in Brazil became possible with the creation and development of the Statute of the Child and Adolescent. The aim of this study was to understand the vulnerabilities, rights violations and lack of social protection that affect adolescents and lead to them committing offenses. The methodology used was based on a qualitative approach, bibliographical and documentary research on platforms such as PEPSIC, SciELO, Redalyc and Google Scholar, as well as websites, booklets and Brazilian government documents. Descriptors such as adolescent, public policy, defense of children and adolescents were used. Ten articles on the subject were selected. The data was analyzed using content analysis and the theoretical-methodological framework of historical-dialectical materialism. Even though there have been a few historical changes, the outlook, as set out in the National Socio-Educational Care System, that attention should be paid to guaranteeing the rights of adolescents under socio-educational measures, public policies, social protection, and the development of the intersectoral network, are the major challenges to be overcome. The work/research that has been carried out has shown that the public policies in place to assist adolescents do not fully cover adolescents in socio-educational measures. There is a need to work together with the family, society and the state. Making it clear that the process of adaptation and improvement is extremely important, so that they can be re-socialized in a fair and equal way, with all the rights provided for in the laws.