Mass rape video on social media gets on Brazilians’ nerves

Brasilia: A big manhunt has been launched by the Brazilian police for more than 30 men suspected of raping a 16-year-old girl in Rio de Janeiro, as well as circulating the video of the attack on social media.

According to the victim’s statement to police, she was doped after going to her boyfriend’s place on Saturday and woke up in a different house, naked and wounded, on the next day.

“A 40-second-video was widely shared on certain social media platforms and was followed by bunch of misogynistic comments, before we could suspend the user’s accounts,” said the Brazilian police.

Highlights:

• Arrest warrants have been issued against the culprits.
• The incident has provoked an online campaign against the ‘culture of rape’ in Brazil.
• “I am thankful for the people’s support which was unexpected. I really thought I was going to be badly judged,” said a victim’s Facebook post.
• The United Nation (UN) Women issued a statement calling for authorities to investigate the case and take stern action against the accused.