Brazil to set up specialized organ against gender violence

Brazil's interim President Michel Temer said on Tuesday that Brazil will set up a specialized organ to fight the violence against women, in response to a recent gang rape of a 16-year-old girl that shocked the South American country.

The decision was made at a meeting held on the same day of public security secretaries from Brazil's 27 states. Temer said at the meeting that the Brazilian society is ashamed of the abhorrent incident that took place on May 21 in a slum in the western part of Rio de Janeiro.

"We are all concerned and we should work together and if we can't eliminate it, we can at least reduce this evil," he added.

The gang rape, which is now under police investigation, possibly involved more than 30 men. It came to light after a video clip and images were uploaded to internet social media sites.

The organ to be established will coordinate nationwide efforts to crack down on the violence against women, Temer said, adding that the Brazilian government will increase related funding despite fiscal difficulties.

Data from a Brazilian public security forum show that more than 47,600 Brazilian women suffered sex assault in different forms in 2014.

Tuesday's public security meeting was called by the Ministry of Justice to assess the security situation in Brazil, and to coordinate security work for the Rio Olympics to be held in August, among other issues. Endi