Brazil Senate raises penalties for online sexual abuse of children

The Brazilian Senate approved a bill that increases prison sentences for a range of sexual crimes committed against children and adolescents online. Punishments for producing, reproducing, directing, photographing, filming, storing, distributing or selling child sexual abuse material rise from 3–6 years to 4–10 years, with a one‑third to two‑thirds boost when the offense is carried out through the internet or uses artificial‑intelligence tools such as deepfakes. The legislation also creates a “virtual patrol” that authorises police to monitor and collect digital files related to these crimes without a prior judicial order. Senator Fabiano Contarato highlighted that existing penalties were insufficient, noting a nearly 19 % rise in reported abuse cases earlier in the year. The bill also mandates psychological and social assistance for victims and moves the new measures toward presidential sanction.