Number of women murdered in Rio up 18% in 2014

The number of women killed in Rio de Janeiro grew 18% in 2014 from the previous year. Last year, 420 cases were reported. Figures come from Dossiê Mulher 2015 (or 2015 Women's Dossier), released today (Apr 30) by the Public Security Institute (ISP) of Rio de Janeiro.

The data reveal that women for 8.5% of homicide victims in the state in 2014 and 7.5% in 2013.

“Homicides rose more considerably among women. Taking the general population into consideration, the surge in murders stood at 4%,” said Andréia Soares Pinto, coordinator of the study.

As for rape cases, despite the drop of 3%, they still amounted to an alarming 5,676 in 2014. Pinto also highlighted the fact that most victims are children or adolescents: close to 65%. Victims aged 13 or younger comprise 45.5% of the total.

Subsecretary for Women's Policies Marisa Chaves notes that women usually fall victims to crimes committed by people they know. “Perpetrators are always someone she has met, lived or had a close relationship with,” she argued.

Now in its tenth issue, the survey further shows that women comprise the majority of victims of crimes such as aggression (64%); threat (65.5%); and defamation, libel, and slander (73.6%).

“The society we live in is a patriarchal and misogynist one, where women are traditionally dominated. In spite of all the struggle of the women's movement, this cultural trait is still predominant, because there hasn't been a sustainable policy over the decades. Schools, for instance, teach violence and perpetuate this misogynist cultural trait that subdues women,” says Ângela Freitas, a member of Brazil's Articulation of Women.

According to the subsecretary, the study may help state authorities to plan actions and activities aimed to reverse the  “patriarchal culture”.

Translated by Fabrício Ferreira

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