Hidden victims of gaping deaths: the repercussions of the sudden death of a young person in the life of the survivors

Author(s)

Clodine Janny Teixeira

• Document type: Doctoral Thesis
• Press: São Paulo.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Instituto de Psicologia (IP/SBD)
• Defense date: 2016-10-10

Examining board members

Maria Julia Kovacs; Paulo César Endo; Maria Helena Pereira Franco; Gabriela Casellato Brown Ferreira Santos; Luis Guilherme Galeão da Silva

• Advisor: Maria Julia Kovacs

Abstract

Youth mortality occurs, mostly due to violent external causes, not natural. Among the external causes, homicides by firearms are responsible for about half of the deaths. The Violence Maps show that in every three fatal victims by firearms, two were aged between 15 and 29, 93.9% were male and two-thirds were black. Most homicides happen in the outlying ghettos of large cities. Although the violence rates are lower in São Paulo since 1999, the same pattern of age, geographical, racial and gender distribution has remained and the proportion of deaths due to police intervention rose from 5% in 2000 to 21% in 2014. These are called gaping deaths, violent deaths that occur in the streets with no chance of protection or precaution. These deaths are disclosed by the media as a product to attract audience. The objective of this study is to investigate, through a case study, the physical, emotional, economic, social, existential and religious repercussions of the death of a young black resident of one of the outlying ghettos of São Paulo in the life of the survivors. The survivors, or hidden victims are the ones not revealed by the statistics, but have their daily routine modified by the extreme violence. Were interviewed: primary victims survivors and witnesses of the crime; secondary victims people who had any familiar, emotional or professional bond with the deceased; and one tertiary victim who had contact with the news of the death through the media. As a procedure, were performed: participant observation, documentary research and open interviews. The qualitative approach was adopted for collecting, understanding and analysis of the material obtained. Physical effects found were: after shot effect, weight loss, sleep disturbances, excessive crying. From the emotional point of view, there was: complicated grief, feelings of sadness, anxiety, fear, insecurity, anger and impotence, as well as symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In the social scope, there were changes in the circulation and living pattern in the neighborhood because of sadness and fear. From an economic point of view, the observed effects were: reduction of income due to the loss of the provider and the inability to work due to the constant need to escape for being a witness of the crime or fear of leaving the house at night. In the existential and religious scope, there is the question of the meaning of life and death, faith brings comfort when facing loss and suffering, but it is sometimes questioned when facing a tragedy. Prejudice and discrimination were reported by residents of the outlying ghettos, expressed in the way they relate to the public security system. The media is seen as responsible for increasing the sense of fear in the population, generating reactions of isolation, protection and support for repressive measures. The main actions identified to reduce mortality of young people are the implementation of public policies focused on the neighborhoods of the outlying ghettos with the appreciation of life of its residents and changes in the public security system, including community policing and restorative justice (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 14/04087-6 - HIDDEN VICTIMS OF WIDE OPEN DEATHS: the implications of violent deaths of young people in survivor s lifes
• Grantee: Clodine Janny Teixeira
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate