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'Mass rape' video on social media shocks Brazil | 'Mass rape' video on social media shocks Brazil |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Brazilian police are hunting more than 30 men suspected of raping a teenage girl in Rio de Janeiro, and of putting video of the attack on social media. | Brazilian police are hunting more than 30 men suspected of raping a teenage girl in Rio de Janeiro, and of putting video of the attack on social media. |
The girl, 16, believes she was doped after going to her boyfriend's house on Saturday and says she woke up in a different house, surrounded by the men. | The girl, 16, believes she was doped after going to her boyfriend's house on Saturday and says she woke up in a different house, surrounded by the men. |
Arrest warrants have been issued, including one for the boyfriend. | Arrest warrants have been issued, including one for the boyfriend. |
The assault has provoked an online campaign against what campaigners call a culture of rape in Brazil. | The assault has provoked an online campaign against what campaigners call a culture of rape in Brazil. |
Conflicting versions of the story are still coming in, but the alleged rape is said to have taken place in a poor community in western Rio over the weekend. | Conflicting versions of the story are still coming in, but the alleged rape is said to have taken place in a poor community in western Rio over the weekend. |
According to a statement she is reported to have given to police, she woke up on Sunday, naked and wounded, and made her way home. | According to a statement she is reported to have given to police, she woke up on Sunday, naked and wounded, and made her way home. |
Only days later did she find out that some of the alleged rapists had put images of the attack on Twitter. | Only days later did she find out that some of the alleged rapists had put images of the attack on Twitter. |
A 40-second-video was widely shared and followed by a wave of misogynistic comments, before the users' accounts were suspended. | A 40-second-video was widely shared and followed by a wave of misogynistic comments, before the users' accounts were suspended. |
Speaking to local media, the girl's grandmother said the family watched the video and cried. | Speaking to local media, the girl's grandmother said the family watched the video and cried. |
"I regretted watching it. When we heard the story we didn't believe what was happening. It's a great affliction. It's a depressing situation," she told Folha de S.Paulo newspaper. | "I regretted watching it. When we heard the story we didn't believe what was happening. It's a great affliction. It's a depressing situation," she told Folha de S.Paulo newspaper. |
"She is not well. She is very confused. This was very serious." | "She is not well. She is very confused. This was very serious." |
The attack has shocked Brazil, says the BBC's Julia Carneiro, and campaign groups have been already been calling for protests over the coming days. | The attack has shocked Brazil, says the BBC's Julia Carneiro, and campaign groups have been already been calling for protests over the coming days. |
There has also been an outpouring of anger on social media, under the hashtag #EstuproNuncaMais (Rape never again). | There has also been an outpouring of anger on social media, under the hashtag #EstuproNuncaMais (Rape never again). |
A collective of journalists posted a satirical image of citizens donning devil's horns, condemning a rape victim for having provoked the attack. | A collective of journalists posted a satirical image of citizens donning devil's horns, condemning a rape victim for having provoked the attack. |
The inscription reads "No to sexism", and the images, clockwise from top right: "But look at her clothes…", "She deserved it!", "16 years old and already has a son…", "Apparently she was on drugs". | The inscription reads "No to sexism", and the images, clockwise from top right: "But look at her clothes…", "She deserved it!", "16 years old and already has a son…", "Apparently she was on drugs". |
The United Nations group UN Women issued a statement calling for authorities to investigate the case, but to respect the victim and not victimise her once more by invading her privacy. | The United Nations group UN Women issued a statement calling for authorities to investigate the case, but to respect the victim and not victimise her once more by invading her privacy. |
Experts say many cases of rape in Brazil go unreported as victims fear retaliation, shame, and blame for the violence they have suffered. | Experts say many cases of rape in Brazil go unreported as victims fear retaliation, shame, and blame for the violence they have suffered. |
Rape in Brazil | Rape in Brazil |
Source: Brazilian Forum for Public Security | Source: Brazilian Forum for Public Security |
Media under fire: By Fran Hunter, BBC Monitoring | |
Brazilian media has come under sharp criticism for their slow reaction to the incident, which was picked up only after news of the video had circulated on social networks. | |
Beyond that, the shocking incident has sparked an online debate on the "normalisation" of rape in Brazil, and a tendency to blame victims for their suffering, with the hashtag #EstuproNaoECulpaDaVitima (Rape is Not the Victim's Fault) trending prominently. | |
The debate largely stems from initial comments on the video, which included "she was drunk" and "she was wearing a short skirt". | |
The media have also been accused of victim-blaming. One of the first articles on the story by media giant O Globo gave prominence to the girl's background and the fact that she was known to be a drug-user. | |
Brazilian-Mexican actress Giselle Itie was one of thousands to speak out about victim-blaming: "The blame is on the media, who sexualize women in all their products," she said. | |
"The blame is on the newspaper that makes light of the many rapes that happen…Drunk, drugged, wearing a short skirt, naked, it doesn't matter. It is never the victim's fault." |