Brazil's School Violence Crisis: A Deep Dive into the Causes

Brazil witnesses a sharp rise in school violence, according to a new report. The study, conducted by researchers at Unicamp, reveals 42 instances of extreme violence in schools between 2001 and 2024. A staggering 64.2% of these incidents occurred between March 2022 and December 2024. The report points to several factors contributing to this alarming trend, including the psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, increased exposure to violent content online, and the normalization of aggressive masculinity. 'The area of security has learned to identify a plan of attack, and prevent it from being put into practice,' explains one of the researchers. However, they emphasize the need to address the underlying causes to prevent future incidents. The report's findings underscore the urgent need for comprehensive strategies that address the social, psychological, and systemic factors driving this surge in school violence.