Ceará pediatric society launches child‑violence campaign in Fortaleza

On 28 July 2026, the Sociedade Cearense de Pediatria (SOCEP) held a launch event in Fortaleza at its headquarters on Rua Maria Tomásia, 701, Aldeota. The event, part of the Week of the Pediatrician celebrating Pediatrician Day, introduced the campaign “Grito de Alerta: Atenção e Proteção de Crianças e Adolescentes,” aimed at preventing and confronting violence against children and adolescents.

The programme brought together journalists, radio hosts, pediatricians and health professionals. SOCEP president Dr. João Borges and director of Courses and Events Dr. Ana Maria Cavalcante e Silva led discussions on the role of media, the protection network and society in addressing the issue. The launch also featured the first SOCEP Journalism Contest, intended to reward reporting that raises public awareness of child‑violence prevention.

Statistics cited by the Ministry of Human Rights and Citizenship highlighted the urgency: 2,619 physical‑violence reports involving children up to age 11 were recorded in Ceará, and more than 685,000 notifications of child and adolescent violence were logged nationwide between 2020 and 2025, a 14.6% increase. The campaign emphasizes coordinated action among health, education, protection services, the press and the broader community, with the Disque 100 hotline available for free reporting.