Survey Shows 87% Want to Lower Age of Criminal Responsibility

04/15/2015 - 10h24

A Datafolha survey carried out last week revealed that if there was a public consultation in the country, 87% of Brazilians would support lowering the age of criminal responsibility from 18 to 16.

The percentage is the highest ever recorded by the Institute poll since the topic was first investigated, in 2003. In that year - and also in 2006 - when a second survey was conducted, 84% said to support lowering the age of majority; 11% are against it (same percentage in 2006), 1% is indifferent and 1% did not know how to answer it.

The topic is the object of a Proposal of Amendment to the Constitution (PEC) that could reduce the majority age, currently under discussion by members of a Special Commission in the Chamber of Deputies. They have approximately three months to review it.

Then, the PEC will be voted by the entire Chamber of Deputies and, if approved, it will go to the Senate.

The main group opposing the proposal is represented by the most educated (23%) to degree level, and the richest (25%), with monthly household income higher than ten minimum wages. The survey has a margin of error of plus or minus two percentage points.

The percentage of those who support lowering the age of responsibility for all crimes is also the highest ever recorded by Datafolha: 74%.

Fourteen of the 27 members of the Special Commission that analyses the subject support the change only for 16 and 17 year olds who commit heinous crimes, such as murder, robbery, rape and kidnapping.

Another proposal is led by São Paulo Governor Geraldo Alckmin (PSDB Party). He does not want the age reduction, but he proposes to extend the maximum detention time for youngsters who engage in heinous crimes – from the three to eight years.

President Dilma Rousseff is also against the reduction.

The discussions reached the courtyard of Fundação Casa, an institution for disruptive teenagers located in Osasco, greater São Paulo. The young inmates, mostly aged 16 to 18, are tense about the possibility of lowering the age of criminal responsibility.

"My fear is to go to a CDP [Provisional Detention Centre for adults] and stay there to rot. Here, at least, I can study", said Andre (real name withheld), who just turned 18.

Among the group of eight young people who was interviewed by Folha on Tuesday (14) afternoon, three said they had learnt to read and write at the teen institute Fundação Casa. Andre is one of them.

All the teenagers are enrolled in State schools and have to attend classes. According to them, when they were outside, they did not go to school for a number of reasons, such as involvement with adult criminals and trouble in the family.

"Most here steal because they need, but there are also others who steal because they want, for the adrenaline rush. The consequence is to be here, detained. It's not easy to stay away from the family, to think about what we did", said 16-year-old Tiago. He told Folha he stole because he needed.

Employees and directors of the institution are trying to reassure them: a change in the Constitution would not have retroactive effect.

Translated by JULIANA CALDERARI

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	Marlene Bergamo/Folhapress
	President Dilma Rousseff is against the reduction.