Saturday, May 28, 2016

Brazilian police are searching for more than 30 men suspected of gang-raping a 16-year-old girl in a Rio de Janeiro slum

Police only became aware of the crime after two men posted photos and videos of the naked and unconscious victim online, along with jokes about what happened to her. One man bragged that "more than 30 impregnated her." The photos and videos received hundreds of likes and supportive comments online. Police have identified only four of the suspects — including the victim's 19-year-old boyfriend — and are asking for the public's help in finding them and identifying others. The first suspect was arrested while 70 military police worked their way through a Rio de Janeiro slum. He hasn't been identified. The victim told police that she arrived at her boyfriend's home. The next thing she remembers is coming to in a different home surrounded by 33 heavily armed men. "I feel like trash," the victim was quoted as saying. "It's the stigma that hurts me the most...I want people to know that it is not the woman's fault.” Brazil's interim president called the attack a "barbaric crime." Many blamed the victim after reports of the attack surfaced. Violence against women is a huge problem in the country. Nearly 50,000 rapes were reported in 2015 in Brazil. There were a reported 13 per day in Rio de Janeiro alone. When asked if the victim was in danger of reprisals from her attackers, the city's police chief responded, "That would be a subjective answer. Who isn't at risk in Rio de Janeiro?"

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