The Santa Catarina Civil Police has opened an investigation into a case in which a 19-year-old woman was allegedly subjected to conditions similar to slavery in Peña. The corporation has been studying the incident for two weeks, but has not yet come to any concrete conclusions.

Civilian police are investigating the case of a young woman allegedly placed in slavery-like conditions in Pena. – Photo: Civil Police/Disclosure/ND

The complaint that led to the investigation came from a representative of the CMBA (Collective of Brazilian Women in Action) and states that a young woman was assaulted by a suspected criminal and forced to work in a house in the municipality. However, the garrison did not find any evidence of an arrest at the crime scene.

According to Delegate Angelo Fragelli in charge of the case, civilian police quickly transferred officers from the Pena County police station as soon as they became aware of the case. Arriving on the scene, he investigated the facts and took the young woman and the suspect to the police station, taking all statements on the same day.

The victim arrived in Santa Catarina because of a job offer and confirmed that the suspect accepted it. However, after a few months the author’s behavior would change: fights and shouting would begin. One person also heard crying from inside the house, raising suspicions of foul play.

The restriction of liberty referred to in the complaint is one of the conditions similar to slavery provided for in the Brazilian Criminal Code. Photo: Freepik/Reproduction

The complaint also states that the young woman was not allowed to communicate with her family. However, according to the delegate, there is currently no evidence that the victim would be restricted in movement and would in fact be able to leave the residence at any time.

Since there was no material to make an immediate arrest, the suspect is wanted at large. “From the very beginning the issue was not clear. Thus, no arrest was made at the crime scene. [Há] very contradictory versions,” Fraghelli emphasizes regarding the statements.

An investigation into slavery-like conditions was launched to determine the facts, the delegate explained. Crime is not excluded even if it was not detected during the initial civilian police deployment.

Civilian police can be contacted to report slave labor. Photo: PCSC/Divulgação/ND

Conditions similar to slavery are provided for in the Brazilian Criminal Code and can be reported

Article 149 of the Brazilian Criminal Code describes which elements characterize conditions similar to slavery. These factors may include forced labor or long hours, as well as degrading working conditions and restrictions on movement.

Several city halls have facilities for reporting slave labor, and the federal government has an Ipê system that is suitable for this procedure and preserves anonymity. In Santa Catarina, it is recommended to contact the civil and military police.