Brazil Study Finds Ongoing Physical and Verbal Violence Against Children

A 2026 survey by research firm Quaest, commissioned by the Instituto Infinis, interviewed 2.202 million Brazilian adults between May and June. The study recorded 115,814 reported violations of children’s rights in the first four months of 2026, according to the Ministry of Human Rights and Citizenship.

Although nine in ten respondents said they consider dialogue the best way to correct a child's behavior, 62% admitted they have shouted at a child, 49% reported having slapped a child and 27% said they have hit a child with an object. Only a third of respondents said they would intervene when witnessing such abuse, with many citing personal or safety concerns.

The research also highlighted limited public awareness of child‑protection laws, with 71% unable to name any. Instituto Infinis executive director Márcia Kalvon warned that “understanding these perceptions is essential to break the intergenerational cycle of violence and guide prevention policies.”