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Brazil has registered 22 attacks of extreme violence in 23 schools since 2002, according to a survey by the State University of Campinas (Unicamp). The number, which may not seem so high, is alarming if considered the most recent clipping: more than a third (9) of these records occurred since June last year (2022). Experts claim that, in general, cases in the media and with national repercussion tend to influence potential perpetrators, including due to failures in journalistic coverage. Which would explain the higher frequency of these episodes in recent years. If we observe the attacks, they are always similar to another that has already occurred. Part of the methods were followed on Monday (27/03), in São Paulo West Zone, when a teacher was stabbed to death by a teenager. This chain of influences is also due to the massive information dissemination and images related to the authors in the media and social networks.
Half of the Weapons Used Belonged to the Authors’ Family
Of the 22 attacks studied by Unicamp, in 12 the perpetrators used firearms. Of these, at least six had the gun at home. Another four bought them from third parties and two acquired them from an unknown source. The survey informs other details regarding the 22 episodes of violence. In all, there were 36 deaths, divided between 24 students, 5 teachers, 2 education professionals and 5 authors, who committed suicide. Among the authors, 16 were students and 12 were former students. In three cases they acted in pairs. The oldest was 25 and the youngest 10.
Predominant Profile
The research also reveals a profile of the perpetrators. They are predominantly white, young and men with misogynistic behavior, that is, sexist and aggressive.
More Reasons for the Attacks
Specialists attribute the aggravation, partially, to the pandemic and the prolonged closure of schools, which reached two years in some regions of the country. Attacks are motivated mainly by revenge or anger, which involves, for example, jealousy and bullying.
The Internet Helps with Preparations
They are premeditated and have planning, with the learning of methods of attack via the Internet. Aggressors participate in online forums that encourage violence, frequent the so-called deep web (deep internet, where there are illegal activities), but are increasingly on the digital surface, that is, using legal and widespread networks, such as Instagram, Tik Tok, WhatsApp, Twitter, Telegram and Discord.
Our Analysis:
Other striking traits of his personality are the taste for violence and the cult of weapons, as well as a kind of social isolation, with social relationships and restricted groups. School evasion was also repeated among the evaluated aggressors. Given the growing scenario in the number of attack cases, the trend is for more events to happen, argues a specialist in restorative justice. It is not possible to know when, but it will happen. There is a combination of factors that is observed that are implying this extreme growth, among them the radicalization with hate speech in social networks and the extremist forums, in which teenagers are co-opted.
