In São João de Meriti, Brazil, a horrifying incident occurred when a 13-year-old girl became the victim of a gang rape after being mistaken for the girlfriend of a drug dealer from a rival faction. During the assault, one of the criminals received a phone call which prompted them to release her, but not before enduring severe physical violence. The shocking nature of this violent crime raises significant concerns over the safety of young women in areas impacted by gang violence.

The girl detailed her traumatic experience, which included being shot at and threatened with death if she reported the incident to the authorities. This illustrates the extreme measures used by criminals to silence victims and maintain their grip on fear within the community. The psychological and physical trauma inflicted on victims like her can have devastating long-term consequences, highlighting the urgent need for social and legal protections for vulnerable populations in such regions.

In response to this heinous act, the Civil Police of Rio de Janeiro launched an operation aimed at arresting the involved traffickers. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the pervasive issues surrounding violence against women and the operation of criminal gangs in Brazil, necessitating not only immediate law enforcement actions but also broader societal initiatives to support the victims and prevent future occurrences.