A report published by the Brazilian Public Security Forum (FBSP) on Thursday (7) shows that in 2023, femicide increased by 1.6% compared to 2022. Brazil recorded 1,463 cases of women who were victims of the crime, representing a rate of 1.4 women killed for every 100,000. According to the data, there was 1 case every 6 hours last year.
The number recorded in 2023 is the highest since the law against this type of crime was created in 2015. Since then, almost 10,700 women have been victims of femicide.
The survey shows that 18 states had a femicide rate above the national average. The highest rate occurred in Mato Grosso, with 2.5 women killed per 100,000.
In second place, Acre, Rondônia and Tocantins were tied, with a rate of 2.4 deaths per 100,000. In third place, with a rate of 2.3 per 100,000 women, is the Federal District.
The states of Ceará, São Paulo and Amapá registered the lowest rates of femicide, with 0.9 per 100,000, 1 per 100,000 and 1.1 per 100,000, respectively.
However, the institute makes a caveat, pointing out that “since the law was passed [in 2015], the Civil Police of Ceará has recognized a very low number of femicides when compared to the total number of homicides of women in the state, which leads us to believe that we are facing significant underreporting”.
Region
The Midwest was the region that registered the most cases of the crime in 2023, with two cases of femicide per 100,000 women. Here’s a look at the other regions:
North – 1.6 in 2023 and 1.5 in 2022 South – 1.5 in 2023 and 1.6 in 2022 Northeast – 1.4 in 2023 and 1,4 in 2022 Southeast – 1.2 in 2023 and 1.2 in 2022 Center-West – 2.0 in 2023 and 2.0 in 2022
Despite having the lowest number of cases compared to the other regions, and remaining stable between the two years, the Southeast showed an increase in femicides, from 512 victims in 2022 to 538 in 2023.
“Overall, the data presented here points to the continued growth of gender-based violence in Brazil, of which the feminicide indicator is the most striking evidence. Despite tackling violence against women being an important theme in the 2022 campaign, not all governors have given the necessary attention to the issue,” says the Forum.
How to report cases of violence against women?
In cases of emergency, call 190 to speak to the Military Police. To report violence against women, dial 180, which is the federal government’s Women’s Helpline.
If you prefer face-to-face assistance, go to a Specialized Women’s Police Station – DDM or a Police Station outside of business hours.