Brazil Justice Minister: Rape is the greatest violence to women's dignity

Justice and Citizenship Minister Alexandre de Moraes released today (May 27) a statement rejecting the rape of a 16-year teenager girl that happened last weekend in Morro São José Operário, in the West Zone of Rio de Janeiro. In a statement the girl gave to the police, she reported that she was raped by more than 30 men.

In a note, the minister declares that he vehemently rejects what he called a heinous crime committed against the teenager. In Moraes's view, rape is the greatest violence that can be committed to the women's dignity and should be firmly repressed.

According to the ministry, a meeting with security secretaries from around the country has been slated for next Tuesday (May 31) to discuss the violence against women. The statement also notes that the ministry may help Rio de Janeiro Secretariat for Public Security during investigations.

The gang rape case sparked a nationwide backlash on social media and is being investigated by the Rio de Janeiro Civil Police. The teenager reports that she was doped and raped by more than 30 men armed with rifles and guns.

Crime images were saved and shared on social media. Rio de Janeiro Civil Police had already identified four crime suspects: two may be involved in sharing the images in social media; one would be the girl's boyfriend, and the fourth is the one who appears in the video beside the girl.

Protests supporting the teenager and rejecting the violence against women are being organized in several states to raise visibility to the topic.

Translated by Amarílis Anchieta