The Tribunal of Justice of Minas Gerais was the site of a significant protest on a recent Sunday, wherein demonstrators placed toys and signs outside the courthouse demanding better protection for children. This protest was triggered by a controversial ruling in which a 35-year-old man, initially convicted of raping a 12-year-old girl, was acquitted upon appeal. The case, which has garnered widespread attention, underscores deep concerns about how the legal system handles crimes against minors in Brazil.

Initially, the man was arrested along with the girl's mother in April 2024 and was sentenced to over nine years in prison for his crimes in a lower court. Testimonies revealed that the girl had withdrawn from school and was living with him, calling him her husband and receiving gifts from him for her family. This troubling dynamic highlighted the significant societal issues surrounding abuse and exploitation of minors, especially in vulnerable situations.

Larissa Carvalho, a reporter from TV Globo in Minas Gerais, shares the harrowing details of this case, including the legal proceedings and the decisions made by the appellate judges. She discusses the implications of this case for future protections of children in Brazil, calling attention to the pressing need for reforms in how such cases are handled by the judiciary, so that the rights and safety of children are prioritized.