50 Million report having lost a friend or relative to murder in Brazil

One in every three Brazilians (35%) have lost friends or relatives to murder, a survey by Datafolha institute commissioned by the Brazilian Forum on Public Security (FBSP) has found.

According to the study released today (May 8), about 50 million Brazilians aged over 16 have had a close friend or family member who was a victim of homicide or robbery followed by death.

People with relatives or friends who were killed violently were more prevalent among blacks (38%), whereas among whites the rate was 27%. The survey also found that 12% of the population over 16 years old (about 16 million people) have had a dear one killed by a security or law enforcement officer. Among people aged 16-24, this rate reaches 17%.

Nearly all of the respondents (94%) think homicide rates in Brazil are too high, and 96% think all government levels need to work together to reduce violence. According to the FBSP's publication Brazilian Yearbook of Public Security, 58,383 violent deaths were reported in Brazil in 2015.

The survey heard 2,065 people in 150 municipalities between April 3 and 8.

Translated by Mayra Borges