MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Brazil's gov't sets up task force against school violence

It is our responsibility to confront school violence, said Alencar

Brazil's Ministry of Justice and Public Safety (MJSP) Thursday launched “Operation Safe School” to carry out preventive and repressive actions against attacks in schools nationwide, Agencia Brasil reported. The operation relies on the participation of the cybercrime offices of the main Brazilian regions, it was also explained.

According to National Public Safety Secretary Tadeu Alencar, the integration between state security forces and the MJSP will be fundamental to facing this wave of criminality in the school environment. “In an issue like this, which affects the country, we have to join hands, join efforts, we have to gather a great deal of energy because there is indignation, there is commotion, but there is also our responsibility to confront it,” said Alencar.

The public security authorities emphasize the need to expand the dialogue with the platforms responsible for social networks operating in Brazil. According to delegates present at the launch of Operation Safe School, cooperation among all actors involved will be essential to prevent and react to cases of violence in schools, as well as to identify people who encourage attacks.

A meeting is scheduled for Monday with representatives of social networks to set up an action protocol. According to public security experts, many young people are recruited by these networks, which has become a kind of “showcase” for extremist groups that promote hate speech.

Another important point is the role of the media in publicizing these types of cases. According to MJSP, the recommendations are not to disclose the names of the perpetrators, nor any kind of images, videos, or symbols that identify them, under any circumstances. This measure prevents the so-called “contagion effect”, which can trigger other attacks or similar events in a short period of time and in a nearby geographical area.

The Justice Ministry has allocated R$150 million (around US$ 29,647,197) in supporting school patrols or similar actions. The resources will stem from the National Public Safety Fund (FNSP) and will be offered to the states and municipalities, which have the constitutional competence to do the ostensive patrolling.

(Source: Agencia Brasil)