Man arrested on suspicion of using religious position to commit sexual violence against teenager

A 32-year-old man was arrested on Saturday (7) in Ponta Grossa, Paraná. He is suspected of committing sexual violence against a 16-year-old girl.

As a pai de santo, he claimed to act on behalf of entities to embarrass the victim. He also threatened her family with death.

In one of the episodes, the man supplied alcohol to reduce the victim's resistance.

The person being investigated will be responsible for the crimes of sexual violation through fraud and supplying alcohol to the teenager.

The police are investigating the possibility of other victims.

A 32-year-old man was arrested on Saturday (7) in Ponta Grossa, in Campos Gerais do Paraná, suspected of using his religious position to commit sexual violence against a 16-year-old teenager. His name was not released.

According to the Civil Police, investigations showed that, as a pai de santo, the man claimed that the teenager had "spiritual callings" and that she needed to receive "energy" in the terreiro.

According to the corporation, he claimed to act as part of spiritual entities to force the victim into sexual acts and access her body, in addition to making death threats to her family if she did not submit to the entity's supposed wishes.

According to the police, in one of the episodes, the man supplied the victim with alcohol, with the aim of reducing her ability to resist.

"The person being investigated used faith and religious fear to violate young people and coerce their families. Prison ensures not only public order, but also guarantees that witnesses and other possible victims can give their statements before the courts without fear of retaliation or mystical intimidation", says delegate Ana Paula Cunha Carvalho.

Evidence collected by the investigation indicated the repeated practice of sexual abuse by the investigated person through the use of fraud, psychological manipulation and severe spiritual coercion.

Given the seriousness of the facts, the Civil Police represented the arrest of the person being investigated, which was granted by the Court. He was arrested in the Bairro Contorno region.

He will be responsible for the crimes of sexual violation through fraud and supplying alcohol to the teenager.

Delegate does not rule out the possibility of other victims

The delegate does not rule out the possibility of other victims.

"We believe that, with the arrest of this person being investigated, they will feel more comfortable to formalize these complaints", he details.

Complaints or information that can help investigations can be made by calling 197, from the Civil Police, or directly to the team at the Center for the Protection of Children and Adolescents Victims of Crime (Nucria), by phone (42) 3225-3856, email [email protected], or in person, at Rua Rodrigues Alves, 950, Jardim Carvalho neighborhood.