Violence against children and adolescents ranks first among reports of human rights violations in Rio Grande do Norte since 2020. Between 2021 and 2022, there was an increase of 44% of reports in this group (from 2,095 to 3,033). In the first half of 2022, cases reached 75% of the numbers recorded in the state throughout 2021. The data is from National Human Rights Ombudsman Panel.

On a national level, the number of complaints related to the group grew from 101,186 to 151,403. In the analysis by age group, two groups showed increasing rates between 2021 and 2022: children aged 2 to 4 years, with an increase of 62% (going from 14,392 to 23,453), and adolescents aged 12 to 14, with a percentage increase of 59% ( from 15,825 to 25,287). In RN, the place where violations occur is, for the most part, the house where the suspect and the person in a violent situation live. Violations in homes represented, in 2022, 48% of the total number of complaints on the platform. 

The social worker preceptor at the Santos Dumont Institute (ISD), Alexandra Lima, explains that the vulnerability evidenced by the data is largely due to the circumstances surrounding the place and the person in a situation of violence. This happens because they are cases that arise within the family, or around the residence, committed by people close to them or with frequent acquaintances who, in addition, take advantage of the still-forming discernment of the child and adolescent. 

“As it is a person who is not a stranger, the child or adolescent does not know how to explain it, they do not know how to define what violence is. So, there is no discernment until the child understands and understands that it is not positive, that it is a type of violence. This takes time”, he explains. 

For the professional, the difficulty in identifying what constitutes a case of violence explains the fact that most violence is chronic, that is, it happens more than 72 hours ago. According to the Ombudsman Panel, in Brazil, in 2022, 109,670 of the total complaints were for violations that had started more than a year ago, and 242,844 for cases that occurred daily.

Alexandra clarifies that the increase in the number of complaints in the last three years does not necessarily represent an increase in violence, but a reflection of greater ease in accessing service and reporting channels and the confidence in registering a complaint. 

“Violence has always existed. What happens is that, in recent years, many channels have facilitated identity protection and anonymity, which makes neighbors, relatives and teachers feel more comfortable so that, when they notice a change in the behavior of children and adolescents and suspect of violence, report it”, explains social worker Alexandra Lima. 

Last year, total third-party reports increased by 170% nationally, growing from 92,701 to 250,534. Regarding reports that came from the person in a situation of violence, there was an increase of 30%, from 80,300 to 104,622. 

As provided for by the Child and Adolescent Statute, care for this group is a duty of the entire society. Alexandra reinforces that everyone has the possibility of reporting when they notice or receive any information about a violation of rights.

“Omission is also characterized as complicity, it is contributing to the perpetuation of violence and the development of children and adolescents being damaged. So, be it a teacher, neighbor, friend, relative, anyone who has contact and information should report it”, adds the professional.

Reporting and service channels

Dial 100, the Human Rights Brazil application and the National Human Rights Ombudsman They are free and open 24 hours a day, including on holidays and weekends. The services can also be activated via WhatsApp and Telegram.

Furthermore, locally, there are the Guardianship Councils in the region, which receive complaints in person, by telephone or via Dial 125, the Child, Youth and Family Prosecutor's Offices and the Specialized Reference Center for Social Assistance (CREAS).