Parents revealed as number one violators of children’s rights

Data from Brazil’s federal government’s Information System for Childhood and Youth have revealed 229,508 cases of violations of children and adolescents’ rights since 2000 all over the country. These include acts of mistreatment, aggression and neglect. In 199,002 cases, perpetrators were revealed to be the victims’ fathers (45,610) and mothers (73,392) themselves. Other guardians were held responsible in 4,403 cases. Stepfathers account for 5,224 cases and stepmothers for 991.

In the view of lawyer Ariel de Castro from the State Council of the Rights of Children and Adolescents (“Condeca”), these figures are appalling because children’s lives are put at risk by the very people they trust the most and depend upon in order to survive.

As an example, Castro mentioned a recent case, in which 11-year-old Bernardo Uglione Boldrini was murdered in the state of Rio Grande do Sul. The victim’s father and stepmother are believed to be among the main suspects. Their motivation could have been his inheritance and child support.

“It’s a problem that doesn’t arise only from economic and social situations, as Bernardo’s case indicates. Situations involving poor people are often reported because neighbors [become acquainted with them through the proximity of their homes.] People are more communicative in the outskirts of the city. Now, violence can also be found in wealthier families, but [these violations] are not reported so often, in an effort not to harm the family’s status,” he said.

The lawyer regrets the lack of social programs aimed at providing ongoing support and advice to families in conflict. He condemned the fact that authorities often disregard complaints made by the children themselves, as was the case with Bernardo. The boy had asked for help at the Public Prosecution Office so as not to live with his father and stepmother any longer. “The child’s utterance must be taken into consideration, and he/she should be regarded as the central figure,” he noted.

Translated by Fabrício Ferreira