Minas Gerais records 1,479 elder‑abuse reports in first half of 2026

The Unified Complaint Hotline (DDU) logged 1,479 anonymous reports of violence against seniors in Minas Gerais between 1 January and 9 June 2026, with 1,189 incidents occurring in municipalities and 290 in the state capital, Belo Horizonte – an average of 224 reports per month statewide and 55 in the capital.

The surge has spurred intensified coordination among security, inspection and justice bodies under the June Violet campaign. The state’s Justice and Public Safety Secretariat (Sejusp‑MG) led a special awareness action on 18 June as part of Operation Virtue, offering prevention guidance and services such as issuing National Identity Cards for the elderly.

A joint inspection on 15 June by the Minas Gerais Public Prosecutor’s Office, Sejusp‑MG, the Civil Police, Fire Service and Health Surveillance resulted in the closure of a long‑term care facility in Belo Horizonte’s Cidade Nova district for violations including accessibility barriers, expired food, lack of sanitary licensing and overcrowding. Two other facilities were also inspected. Investigators found contracts signed by third parties without legal representation of the residents, prompting partial shutdowns and demands for corrective agreements with the Public Prosecutor’s Office.