Rio Grande do Norte abuse reports may indicate underreporting

Reports indicate a decrease in reported sexual abuse and exploitation cases involving children aged 0-11 in Rio Grande do Norte during the first four months of 2025. Experts warn this may indicate underreporting rather than a true decline in incidents. Assault cases dropped from two to zero, while reported rapes decreased from 143 to 114. Specialists suggest fear and lack of trust may be preventing victims from coming forward, highlighting the need for strengthened prevention policies. This data comes during "Orange May," a month dedicated to raising awareness about child sexual abuse. Simultaneously, there was a 6.3% increase in reported cases involving adolescents aged 12-17, raising concerns about online violence.