Interpersonal violence in Brazilian schools has grown steadily in recent years, revealing a troubling pattern of aggression among students. Data from DataSUS shows that this rise was already visible before the pandemic but worsened considerably from 2022 onwards. In 2024, 15,759 incidents were recorded — a 23% increase compared to the previous year. Of these, 2,273 were cases of self-harm, accounting for 14% of the total. Across the 2013–2024 period, girls made up the majority of victims, representing 58% of all cases last year.
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Physical Violence
Physical assaults remain the most common form of violence in schools, totaling 7,786 cases, or 49.4% of all reports. Psychological or moral violence followed, with 25.3%, and sexual violence accounted for 22%. In 40% of all cases, the perpetrator was someone known to the victim, often a friend or classmate. These numbers suggest that much of the aggression takes place within familiar social circles, complicating prevention and response strategies for educators and authorities.
Extreme Attacks
Despite the overall increase in violence, the number of extreme attacks — incidents involving armed aggressors entering schools with intent to kill — has dropped. There were five such attacks in 2024, compared with fifteen in 2023 and ten in 2022, according to research by the Brazilian Public Security Forum in partnership with data firm Timelens. Analysts credit this improved reduction to monitoring, security measures, and early intervention protocols in schools, although the underlying climate of hostility remains a serious concern.
Recent Cases
The growing severity of school violence is reflected in several tragic incidents that have drawn national attention. In September 2024, 11-year-old Alícia Valentina died after being assaulted by a classmate in the backlands of Pernambuco. Investigators believe the attack occurred after she rejected a sexual request from another student.While comprehensive data for 2025 is not yet available, recent reports of assaults in schools indicate that aggression within educational settings continues to be a pressing issue demanding stronger institutional and social responses.
Analysis:
The steady rise in interpersonal violence within Brazilian schools points to a broader social and institutional failure to address youth aggression and emotional health. The data showing over 15,000 incidents in 2024, with a 23% increase compared to the previous year, reflects not only a worsening trend but also the normalization of violent behavior in school environments.
Physical assaults remain the most frequent type of aggression, but the fact that in 40% of cases the perpetrator is known to the victim highlights a crucial challenge: violence is occurring within students’ immediate social circles. This internalization of aggression within peer groups complicates preventive efforts and calls for strategies that go beyond punitive measures.
The decline in extreme armed attacks, while encouraging, should not obscure the persistence of everyday violence and its psychological impact on students. For sustainable progress, Brazil must treat school safety as a public health issue.
Sources: A Folha de SP.
