Data from the Ministry of Justice and Public Security show that Brazil had at least 78,395 rape reports in 2024, which results in an average of nine occurrences per hour. Among the victims, the vast majority are women, with 67,820 reports. 9,676 victims are male. The records did not inform the gender of 899 people. The data from the Ministry of Justice and Public Security are part of the Sinesp Statistical Data Validator, a platform that gathers crime rates reported by the states.
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Increase in Cases
Reported cases increased in at least 11 states from 2023 to 2024, with emphasis on Paraíba, Amazonas, Amapá, and Tocantins. In Paraíba, the growth was 103.48%, going from 575 to 1,170 cases in the period. In a statement, the Civil Police of Amazonas said that the increase is a reflection of the strengthening of police actions and the growth in the volume of complaints made by the population.
Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo
The number is expected to be even higher, since São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Alagoas, and Roraima have not yet sent data for December 2024. In 2023, 82,191 rapes were recorded by the system.
Ten states record an increase in feminicide
The data also show that at least 1,400 people were victims of feminicide in Brazil, with an increase recorded in ten states. Roraima, Piauí and Maranhão lead the ranking, with increases of 50%, 443.86% and 38%, respectively. In 2023, 1,449 femicides were recorded.
Analysis:
The figures presented by the Ministry of Justice and Public Security on rape cases in 2024 reveal an alarming and likely underreported reality. Official data indicates an average of nine incidents per hour, though the true numbers are probably higher due to the widespread underreporting of sexual violence. Victims often face barriers such as fear, shame, and distrust of the justice system, compounded by a cultural context that frequently revictimizes and blames those who come forward. This creates significant challenges in reporting such crimes and underscores the urgent need for systemic change to address the stigma and lack of trust in police and judicial authorities.
Femicides, which increased in ten states—most notably in Roraima, Piauí, and Maranhão—highlight the deeply rooted issues of gender-based violence in Brazil. Addressing these alarming trends requires actions beyond law enforcement. It involves tackling the cultural foundations of gender inequality, expanding victim support networks, promoting education on human rights, and creating a justice system that is less bureaucratic and more empathetic.
Sources: A Folha de SP.
