[Exclusivo] PF arrests of sexual predators increase by almost 37% in 2024

The number of arrests carried out by the Federal Police (PF) against online harassers increased by 36.9% in 2024, according to data provided at the request of the Federal Police. TecMundo. The survey takes into account the period from January to October of both semesters.

In the first 10 months of 2023, 73 preventive and temporary arrest warrants were issued. Under the Criminal Code, provisional detention is for five days (may be extended for a further five days) and serves to ensure that the suspect does not obstruct the police investigation. Preventive detention has no deadline and one of its goals is to protect society.

The state with the most arrests for cybercrimes related to child sexual abuse last year was Ceará, with 12 arrests.

Bahia and Amapá (7) ranked second among the federative units with the most people detained, followed by Rio de Janeiro (5).

Check below the number of preventive and temporary prisons of the PF in 2023 for cybercrimes related to sexual exploitation of children and adolescents, month by month and by status:

• Fireplace: Maranhão (2 prisons); Ceará (4); Money (1); Parana (2); Rio de Janeiro (2); Rondônia (1); Tocanthines (1);
• February: Amazon (1); Amapa (1); Paraiba (1); Pernambuco (1); Rio de Janeiro (2);
• March: Alagoas (1); Bahia (1); Mato Grosso do Sul (1); Pernambuco (1); Rondônia (2); Tocanthines (1);
• April: Bahia (4); Federal District (1); Rondônia (1); Rio Grande do Sul (2);
• May: Amazon (1); Amapa (6); Mato Grosso do Sul (1); Paraiba (1); Pernambuco (1); Rio de Janeiro (1); Sao Paulo (1);
• June: Mato Grosso do Sul (1); Roraima (2); Sao Paulo (1);
• July: Amazon (1); Bahia (1); Ceará (1); Federal District (1); Minas Gerais (1); Mato Grosso do Sul (1); Money (1); Pernambuco (1);
• August: Bahia (1); Ceará (7); Federal District (2); Maranhão (1); Paraiba (2); Rio Grande do Sul (1); Sergipe (1);
• September: Ceará (1); Federal District (1); Mato Grosso do Sul (1);
• October: Acre (1); Ceará (1); Federal District (2); Paraiba (1); Sergipe (1).

Increase in crimes in 2024

According to PF data, 748 operations were carried out in 2024 to combat cybercrimes related to child sexual abuse (CSAM). In this number of operations, the Federal Police rescued 53 victims.

As for prisons, the number of temporary and preventive prisons opened between January and October this year was 100; This represents an increase of almost 37 percent compared to the same period in 2023.

Considering the PF’s preliminary assessment, the state of São Paulo led the infamous case of arrests of sexual abusers. A total of 16 people were detained. SP is the leader not only in prisons, but also in terms of operations, as there were 145 of them by October.

Check below the number of provisional and preventive arrests made by the state between January and October 2024 for cybercrimes related to child sexual exploitation. There were no arrest records at that time in states not included in the list:

• acres:4;
• Alagoas: 2;
• Amazon:3;
• Bahia:4;
• Ceará: 5;
• Federal District: 2;
• Holy Spirit: 1;
• Goias: 1;
• maranhao: 2;
• Minas Gerais: 1;
• Mato Grosso do Sul: 2;
• Mato Grosso: 1;
• With:9;
• paraíba:13;
• pernambuco: 5;
• Piauí: 1;
• to your money:7;
• Rio de Janeiro:8;
• Rondonia:3;
• Roraima:7;
• Rio Grande do Sul:3;
• São Paulo: 16.

Complex research

In an interview with TecMundoHericson Santos, an expert with the São Paulo Civil Police, gives some insight into the dynamics of operations against sexual harassers. First of all, he states that the term “pedophile” is no longer used and that those who commit such crimes are officially described as “abusers”.

Santos notes that the Brazilian police currently have good technologies to deal with such situations, and that part of the difficulty in dealing with these problems comes from logistics.

“Today, we have a very well-established methodology, so the biggest challenge is operational. Since it is a digital crime, it is necessary to meet with many national and international institutions. “Maintaining communication and support in various parts of Brazil and the world is challenging,” he comments.

Another situation Hericson recalled touches on the difficulties in managing child abuse material by other law enforcement officials. He notes that some of his colleagues “couldn’t stomach it” because many of the photos and videos taken by police officers were so powerful.

“It’s not easy to work with this on a daily basis, and we don’t have any special preparation to deal with all this. In the United States, for example, they take a break and undergo an analysis to see if they can continue to fight this type of crime.”

The expert says he has even heard of police officers feeling sick and unwell. “I knew people who started using the material after first coming into contact with it at work,” he explains.

Crime disclosure channels

Now Hericson Santos says that Telegram has become one of the main channels for the dissemination of these child and adolescent sexual abuse materials.

“Previously, the problem was with WhatsApp, but Meta adopted the policy of notifying the authorities that this material was distributed. In this sense, big technologies were very helpful,” he comments.

In the case of Telegram, at least since 2021, the app has been accused of contributing little to the fight not only against digital sexual exploitation but also against drug trafficking, human trafficking and other crimes.

After a lot of pressure and even the arrest of the creator of the messenger, Telegram began to contribute to justice and even decided to monitor and remove photos and videos containing child abuse.

“Telegram started to contribute more, but it was always a lawless country. In this sense, Signal also began to be widely used. [para compartilhar materiais de abuso]. Since abusers are constantly looking for alternatives, a new practice is constantly emerging and we need to start researching,” argues the expert.

Commenting on the modus operandi of abusers, the expert said that candy, lollipops, toys, etc. He explains that ex-offenders who trick children on the streets are now in the minority.

The professional says that in the age of digitalization, all care (that is, care of the little ones) is done through social networks. Most abusers do not even make physical contact with their victims.

“The vast majority of child abuse content today is not made by adults, it was the child who recorded it. “Abusers approach victims by promising costumes or armor in games, followers on social networks, or money, get emotionally involved, and ask them to take photos of themselves or record sexual content,” she says.

“The abuser usually lives in another state or another country. “He sells his materials to other people over the internet,” adds the expert.

Prison is not enough

Complementing the data disclosed by PF, Hericson Santos points out that since 2016, approximately 1,800 people have been arrested in Brazil for crimes of disseminating CSAM (Portuguese child sexual abuse material). Additionally, nearly 180 children were rescued in these 8 years.

A speaker, distributor of research and awareness materials on digital crimes, and author of training for police officers, prosecutors, and other professionals in Brazil and Latin America, Santos is also a member of the Child Rescue Coalition (CRC), an NGO that fights for identification and arrest. is a part of it. abusers.

The expert argues that police intervention is essential to maintain pressure. But mobile phone screens, computers, tablets, etc. It underlines that pressure is not enough to combat the increase in these crimes committed through media.

“We have always had a repressive focus in Brazil. It sticks to these places a lot. But the point is that we need to educate children digitally so that they do not produce this content. “They need to be aware that they cannot interact online without knowing who is on the other side of the screen,” he argues.

Santos remembers that family was also important in this process. Monitoring mothers, fathers and guardians about everything minors consume online can make a difference in ensuring that children and teenagers do not become victims of abusers, he notes.

“Nowadays, leaving the child in the room is no longer a good method of punishment as it used to be. Their rooms have cell phones, computers, and video games. “Without supervision, internet access on these devices becomes fertile ground for criminals,” he concludes.

Violated Reality 3

In addition to this report, the issue of child abuse on the Internet is also the theme of the third episode of TecMundo’s documentary web series Realidade Violada, which reveals the behind-the-scenes of cybercrime in Brazil.

in the name Violated Reality 3: Sexual PredatorsThe new episode brings exclusive reporting from security officers and hackers dealing directly with these very complex crimes.

“Due to the complexity of the subject, the language will be different, but the format of Realidade Violada has already been found. Our goal is to shed light on a sensitive topic and uncover the best protections for it,” says cybersecurity editor Felipe Payão. TecMundo and the author of the documentary.

This Tuesday (09), Violated Reality 3: Sexual Predators had its first public screening at Shopping Eldorado at Cinemark in São Paulo (SP). The public version will be released on YouTube next Saturday, December 14th. TecMundo.

Check out the Violated Reality 3: Sexual Predators trailer below: