|
Daniela Martins Student Aline Olegário Leite, 23, died last month in a traffic accident. Attendant Luiz Cláudio Dias, also 23, was murdered in Praça dos Violeiros, during a dawn last May. In common, the two had youth and, now, together, they are part of alarming statistics that demonstrate the danger to which young people, with their peculiar risk-taking behaviors, are daily exposed. The numbers highlight the danger. Of the total 305 deaths that occurred in Goiânia and were registered in 2005 at the State Homicide Department, almost half of the victims, 149, were in the 18 to 30 age group. In the first six months of this year, 82 young people were victims of murder, representing almost 39% of the total deaths. Luiz Cláudio, who fits the risk profile outlined by specialists, is part of this last statistic. According to investigations, the attendant was a drug user. "The majority of homicide victims and perpetrators are young people and almost always drug users or dealers," highlights delegate Carlos Raimundo Lucas Batista, from the Homicide Department. The delegate explains that although involvement with narcotics does not always appear explicitly, there are always indications of the use of illicit drugs combined with alcohol. Luiz Cláudio was murdered after leaving the pit stop where he worked. It was his day off, but the attendant had gone for a snack after telling his mother, Erci Rosa, that he would not be long. In the company of a friend, Luiz Cláudio was in Praça dos Violeiros, in Setor Urias Magalhães, when two other young men arrived and shot at the pair. The friend was hit in the arm and Luiz Cláudio took two shots to the chest, dying instantly. The homicide occurred 50 meters from the 2nd Police District, which operates only from Monday to Friday during business hours. "I was expecting Cláudio to arrive soon, until around three in the morning they knocked on the gate, informing me that my son had been shot. I ran to the square," recalls Erci. Since her son died, Erci quit her job and put her house up for sale. "I want to move from here because everywhere we look, we see his friends," says the mother. Even after four months, Erci still keeps her son's room intact, just as he left it the night he left home and never returned. "My family is incomplete. Nothing is fun anymore, no gathering, no family party," she concludes. Young people are 32% of traffic deaths in Goiânia Young people have also become the biggest victims of traffic violence. A survey of statistics from the State Department of Traffic (Detran-GO) shows that young people (people between 15 and 24 years old) represent 32% of traffic accident deaths that occurred last year in Goiânia. This year, only until June, 25 young people have already lost their lives on the Capital's streets. The family and friends of student Aline Olegário Leite know the pain these numbers represent. About to graduate in Psychology, Aline died in a traffic accident on T-9 avenue, Jardim América, on August 6th. Witnesses stated that the Saveiro in which the student was a passenger - and which was driven by Fábio Mendonça da Costa, 26 - was speeding, swerving on the right lane, and when trying to overtake a bus on the left, the driver lost control of the car, hitting a tree head-on. Aline's friend was intoxicated, and the two were not wearing seatbelts at the time of the accident. "I've never seen such a beloved person as her, always ready to go out with you at any time," recalls one of her friends, veterinarian Daniella Lemes, 23, emphasizing that the student had the typical behavior of youth: she was not a very careful person. "The problem is that she trusted people a lot and ended up riding with a friend even though he was intoxicated," she laments. The student's tragic death left her friends very scared of traffic violence. "I, for example, the first thing I do when I get in the car now is put on my seatbelt and I drive slower. When I get a ride, I will never ride with anyone drunk again. Aline is someone who was always with us and we will never see each other again. It's very difficult. We will miss her a lot," concludes Daniella. Another seemingly common traffic accident in Goiânia had a tragic outcome in March. While trying to avoid a car pulling out of the shoulder, the Corsa Sedan of university student Vinícius Borges Cisneyros, 21, hit a pole, spun, and hit a planter on the sidewalk again. The tank was punctured. The result was a fire that 20 people tried to extinguish with several vehicle and residential extinguishers, but without success. In a few moments, the Corsa Sedan exploded, and the student, whose legs were trapped between the seat and the dashboard, died carbonized. (D. M.) "Parents can do little to prevent"[/DIV] A study conducted by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in Brazil, released in 2004, already drew attention to the vulnerability of young people. The document – titled "Mapa da Violência, Os jovens do Brasil" (Map of Violence, The youth of Brazil) – states in its introduction that youth is "the segment of society that is most exposed to violence, either as victims or as perpetrators."
The survey also points to an increase in violence among the youth population. Over a ten-year period, the number of homicides of young people in Goiás grew by more than 136%, from 185 murders in 1993 to a staggering 437 deaths in 2002. In traffic, violence also increased. In 1993, 245 people between 15 and 24 years old died in the state; an index that reached 329 in 2002, representing an increase of 24% in the number of victims. The reasons that make young people the biggest victims of violence are numerous. The peculiar behavior typical of their age already contributes to insecurity. "They are constantly on the streets, due to study, work, leisure, and consumption," emphasizes sociologist Nildo Viana, a professor and doctor at the State University of Goiás and author of the book "A dinâmica da violência Juvenil" (The dynamic of youth violence). "Another aspect to be considered is the insertion of young people into groups, such as gangs, organized fan clubs, among others, which are groupings organized around violence itself," says Viana. The sociologist believes that the increase in unemployment and poverty in general is the main factor explaining the rise in youth violence. In addition to these reasons, Nildo Viana highlights drug use. "This is another element that encourages high rates of violence in individuals of this age group," he points out. Delegate Jorge Moreira, who commands the State Homicide Department, also points to drugs as drivers of violence, but, being experienced, the delegate criticizes the lack of education at home. "Parents are transferring the role of educator to the school or to the police," he states unequivocally. In terms of prevention, Nildo Viana believes that parents can do little to protect their children. In fact, the sociologist argues that the fundamental thing is to get to the root of the problem and combat poverty, unemployment, etc. "Parents should fight for these more general changes. Beyond that, they can do very little to reduce the vulnerability of young people, as locking them up at home is impossible," he summarizes. Thus, he continues, parents can only do what anyone else does, give "good advice." (D. M.) Violence Statistics
Homicides in Goiânia Age group from 18 to 30 years In 2005 - 149 victims In the first six months of 2006 - 82 victims Traffic deaths in Goiânia Age group from 15 to 24 years 2005 - 64 victims In the first six months of 2006 - 25 deaths Homicides in Goiás Age group from 15 to 24 years In 1993 - 185 victims In 2002 - 245 victims 136% increase in ten years |
|
| Text Date: 09/25/06 | |
|
|
|
| Source: O SUCESSO |
Can be found at: http://www.sspj.go.gov.br/ag_noticias/con_noticia.php?col=2&pub=26529
