Rio Rape Sends Ugly Message About World Cup

by John M. Curtis
(310) 204-8700

Copyright April 3, 2013
All Rights Reserved.                                         

        Plagued with poverty and slums in Rio de Janeiro made famous by the Brazilian movie “City of God [Miramaz, 2002],” the 2014 World Cup organizing committees didn’t need last Saturday’s rape and mugging on a private 12-passenger transportation van.  With the World Cup slated for next year and 2016 Olympic Games around the corner, the Brazilian Chamber of Commerce didn’t need the horrific publicity attached to a rape and mugging.  Known for organized crime, violence, drugs, prostitution and ghetto-type poverty, Rio has fought for years to clean up its act.  Three men age 20-22 were taken into custody, accused of similar crimes.  “The victims described everything in great detail, mostly the sexual violence,” Rio police officer Rodrigo Brant told Glob TV network.  With Pope Francis due in July for a Roman Catholic pilgrimage, Rio authorities didn’t need another black eye.

             Mafia like violence, now plaguing Mexico, has decimated the country’s tourism industry, whether the risk is high or not.  Brazilian authorities are sensitive to the perceptions that could wreck the economic boon that’s expected from hosting major sporting events like the World Cup and Olympics.  “Just how they described the facts was shocking—the violence and brutality.  It surprised even us, who work in security and used to hearing such things,” said Brant.  Last Saturday night, en route to Copacabana Beach, two foreign students, an American woman and her French boyfriend, were victimized when their transportation van was hijacked by three Brazilians, forcing the driver and passengers off bus.  When the ride resumed, the Brazilians mugged the man with a crowbar and raped the woman in plain sight, reminiscent of a recent rape attack in New Delhi, India.

             Nothing drives tourists away more than violence, no matter how infrequent it occurs.  Since Rio’s had a reputation for crime for years, the authorities have worked overtime to rebuild its image.  “These types of crimes committed against foreign tourists are very uncommon,” said Rio policeman,lead investigator Alexandre Braga.  In the rape incident that happened last Saturday night, Braga said the two foreign students took private transportation, always a bigger risk than public buses or taxis.  According to the victims’ report, the three suspects took turns behind the wheel, driving to Rio’s neighboring city of Niteroi while they took turns raping the girl.  After emptying the victims credit card accounts at gas and convenience stores, the suspects forced the girl to get another credit card.  When asked why she didn’t immediately call the police, she feared for her boyfriend’s life.

             Street violence in foreign capitals, whether in South America, Europe, Asia or Africa isn’t that uncommon.  Problems with Mexican drug cartels notwithstanding, most foreign capitals have street crime.  Brazilian authorities with the help of victims positively identified the suspects, reassuring the public that the menace was off Rio’s streets.  “The victims recognized the three without a shadow of a doubt,” Braga said, reassuring the public that Rio’s streets were again safe.  For anyone traveling abroad, they know there are good areas and bad areas in any city, including domestic ones.  With Rio’s population over 6 million people, there’s going to be crime incidents daily, something foreign travelers must accept.  Whatever Rio’s crime problems, it’s no different than other densely populated foreign capitals where unemployment, poverty and slums still exist.

             Pointing fingers at Brazil fails to admit the kinds of urban crime plaguing more civilized parts of North America and Europe.  While there are difference in crime statistics in various foreign capitals, tourists that stick to the major streets and more frequented areas usually don’t have problems.  While another young Brazilian woman came forward with rape allegations against three men, the problems of sexual-related crimes have become more visible in recent years.  When a 23-year-old Indian woman was gang-raped by seven men Jan. 14, 2013 died of her injuries a few days later, the world was horrified.  When looking at crime stats, the incident of rape in India has gone from 2,487 in 1971 to 24,296 in 2011, a national epidemic.  While mild by Indian standards, Brazil witnessed over 5,300 sexual assaults in 2011, not much reassurance before next year’s World Cup.

             Tourists expecting to travel to Rio for the World Cup and Olympics shouldn’t lose sight of the bigger picture when it comes to urban crime:  Most big cities, regardless of hemisphere, have good areas and bad areas, places to see and places to avoid.  While it’s unfortunate when incidents occur, tourists need to keep things in perspective before canceling trips.  Sexual crime, armed robbery, burglary, domestic violence, etc., occur daily no matter what the venue.  While it’s true that Rio has more than their share of poverty and crime, it’s also true that it’s no different than most densely populated areas with similar poverty.  If you look into crime stats in most big cities, few tourists would venture past their backyards, without keeping it in perspective.  Following a few simple rules and staying out of the dicey areas should go a long way in keeping foreign tourists out of harm’s way.

John M. Curtis writes politically neutral commentary analyzing spin in national and global news.  He's editor of OnlineColumnist.com.and author of Dodging the Bullet and Operation Charisma.