Black women, killed inside their own homes and, most often, by a current or former partner: this is the most common profile of femicide victims in Brazil, according to a survey released on Wednesday (04/03) by the Brazilian Forum of Public Security. The findings reinforce that femicide in the country is predominantly an expression of domestic and intimate-partner violence, occurring in spaces that should offer protection but instead become the scene of lethal aggression. In 2025, Brazil recorded 1,568 femicide victims—up 4.7% from the previous year—showing that the trend remains entrenched despite the existence of legal protections and formal reporting channels. The report also links this pattern to broader social and racial inequalities, suggesting that vulnerability, limited access to support networks, and delayed institutional response can deepen the risks faced by women in abusive relationships.
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Majority Was Black
An analysis of 5,729 femicide cases recorded between 2021 and 2024 shows that 62.6% of victims were Black (3,587 women), while 36.8% were White (2,107). Given that IBGE data indicates Black women represent about 55% of Brazil’s female population, the figures point to a disproportionate impact. The report argues that lethal gender-based violence is closely linked to racial and social inequality: Black women are, on average, more exposed to socioeconomic vulnerability, face greater barriers to leaving violent relationships, and have less access to effective protection networks and public services. The data suggests that structural inequality helps shape both risk and the ability to obtain timely assistance.
Adulthood Phase
The records indicate that femicide affects different stages of life but is heavily concentrated in adulthood. Among the cases analyzed, 1,685 victims were between 18 and 29 years old (29.4%), while 2,864 women were between 30 and 49 (50%), the largest group. Another 887 victims were over 50 (15.5%). The distribution suggests that the highest risk coincides with the years in which many women are more likely to be in long-term relationships, raising children, and managing financial responsibilities—factors that can increase exposure to coercion, dependence, and repeated cycles of abuse. The report also indicates that violence is not limited to any single age bracket, and that older women remain vulnerable as well.
Direct Relationship
In most cases, the perpetrator had a direct relationship with the victim. The survey found that 59.4% of women were killed by an intimate partner and 21.3% by an ex-partner. Among cases where the perpetrator was identified, 97.3% were committed by men. Only 4.9% involved strangers, reinforcing that femicide is overwhelmingly driven by violence in close relationships rather than random assaults. The data points to recurring patterns: control, jealousy, separation conflicts, and escalation after previous episodes of aggression—often occurring in environments where the victim is isolated and where intervention can be delayed.
Recent Cases
Recent cases recorded in São Paulo illustrate this pattern. Tainara Souza Santos, 31, died after nearly a month hospitalized at Hospital das Clínicas, after being run over and dragged for about a kilometer by a car driven by Douglas Alves da Silva, with whom she had a past relationship. Months later, her friend Priscila Versão, 22, was also killed. The suspect is Deivit Bezerra Pereira, with whom she had a relationship and two children. Family members reported that Priscila had even taken part in a protest demanding justice for the attack against Tainara, underscoring how violence can reverberate through social circles and how women close to victims may also be exposed to dangerous relationships.
Weapons
As for the means used, 2,790 femicides were committed with bladed weapons (48.7%), such as knives or axes, while 1,443 involved firearms (25.2%). According to Samira Bueno, executive director of the Brazilian Forum of Public Security, the data indicates that femicide frequently involves common objects readily available in everyday life—often within the home itself—reinforcing the domestic nature of the violence. The home appears as the primary setting for these crimes: 3,797 femicides occurred inside the residence (66.3%), while 1,099 took place in public spaces (19.2%). The prevalence of household settings and easily accessible weapons suggests that prevention depends not only on policing, but also on early detection of abuse, effective protective measures, and rapid intervention when threats escalate.
Analysis:
The data reinforces a well-documented pattern in Brazil: femicide is predominantly an extension of domestic and intimate-partner violence rather than random criminal activity. The fact that most victims are killed inside their own homes by current or former partners indicates that lethal violence often represents the final stage of a prolonged cycle of abuse. Despite legal frameworks such as specialized domestic violence laws and protection measures, the persistence and growth of cases suggest that institutional responses frequently occur too late, after threats have already escalated.
The disproportionate impact on black women also illustrates how gender violence intersects with broader socioeconomic and racial inequalities. Structural vulnerabilities such as lower income levels, reduced access to legal assistance, and weaker support networks can limit the ability to leave abusive relationships or seek protection from authorities.
