Extreme violence attacks on schools in Brazil
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.24220/2318-0870v30a2025e14431Keywords:
Massacres, School safety, School shootings, Extreme violence in schoolsAbstract
The increase in extremely violent attacks on schools in Brazil has generated a climate of apprehension and intense debate in various sectors of society. These attacks differ from other forms of violence, as they are a phenomenon with specific characteristics and multiple causes. This article presents the results of a documentary study that mapped episodes of extreme violence in schools in Brazil, committed by students and former students. The study considered intentional incidents that occurred in the school environment, planned and with the objective of causing death and injury. They are characterized as hate crimes and/or are motivated by revenge (when the perpetrator is a minor, they are violent criminal acts of attempted murder). The study identified the first record in the country in August 2001 and, until June 2024, it recorded 40 episodes, with a significant increase between 2022 and 2024, of 25 cases. Of the total, 31 were active attacks, in which the objective is to indiscriminately kill as many people as possible, and nine were targeted attacks, with specific targets. The study details the characteristics of these events and their perpetrators, analyzes why the attacks are specifically aimed at schools, explores the weapons used, and examines the progression of complaints and resulting investigations. It is expected that this research will contribute to a deeper understanding of this type of cruel violence that affects our schools, offering support for planning prevention and response actions.
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