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Brazil sets up new office to protect women

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IANS Brasilia

The Brazilian government has created a special office to deal with violence against women after the gang rape of a 16-year-old girl in Rio angered the whole nation.

The gang rape by over 30 men, the video of which was uploaded online, has triggered nationwide outrage and discussions on rape, a chronic social evil in Brazil, where many crimes against women are under-reported, Xinhua news agency cited the government as saying on Tuesday.

The first police chief in charge of the case was removed from the investigation process because the victim's lawyer complained that he was treating the girl like a culprit.

 

After the takeover of a woman chief with more experience in dealing with rape cases, however, only two accused have been arrested so far.

Two weeks ago, the Ministry of Women, Human Rights and Racial Equality, which deals with women issues, was abolished and merged into the new Ministry of Citizenship.

The reorganisation decision of interim President Michel Temer has been interpreted by critics as to impair the influence of the suspended woman President Rousseff.

--IANS

py/vt

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First Published: Jun 01 2016 | 3:34 PM IST

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