Child sexual abuse material offenses up 25% in Brazil, with one-third of offenders being teens
In Brazil, offenses related to the production, possession, or distribution of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) surged by 25% in 2025, reaching 4,063 cases involving victims up to 17 years old. This marks the first time this specific crime category has been analyzed in the 20th Brazilian Yearbook of Public Security. A striking finding is that 34.2% of these offenses were committed by adolescent offenders. The study indicates that this phenomenon is linked to increased access to social media, messaging platforms, and virtual communities that promote misogyny, early sexualization, and male dominance, contributing to online radicalization. Researchers describe this as a form of peer-to-peer violence where both victims and perpetrators can be adolescents. The report also highlights that 86.5% of recorded offenders were male, while 9.1% were female, and 4.4% involved multiple offenders. Regarding victims, 84.2% are girls, and 78.3% are between 12 and 17 years old, with a significant portion aged 12-15. The yearbook also noted a 49% increase in CSAM offenses involving young adults aged 18-19. Separately, the yearbook revealed a near doubling of crimes against children and adolescents within family settings since 2021, including mistreatment, abandonment, and physical assault. Mistreatment cases alone saw a 14.6% rise in 2025, with over half of victims aged 0-9. The study attributes these increases to the persistent use of physical discipline and the ongoing influence of digital technologies on socialization and violence dynamics.
The surge in child sexual abuse material offenses and domestic violence against minors in Brazil, as detailed in the 20th Brazilian Yearbook of Public Security, underscores a critical societal challenge. The data points to the pervasive influence of digital platforms in facilitating harmful content and behaviors, particularly among adolescents, suggesting a need for enhanced digital literacy and platform accountability. The rise in offenses involving teenage perpetrators highlights a complex interplay of peer influence, exposure to radicalizing online content, and potentially a lack of adequate safeguarding mechanisms for youth. Furthermore, the increase in domestic violence indicates persistent cultural norms that may tolerate physical discipline, despite legal protections. Addressing these interconnected issues requires a multi-faceted approach, involving technological regulation, educational interventions, and a deeper understanding of the socio-cultural factors driving these trends over the next decade.
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