Podcast Summary: BBC Lê – O relato de mães brasileiras de crianças atacadas em Portugal: 'Atravessei um oceano pra dar vida melhor e me frustrei'

Podcast: BBC Lê
Host: BBC Brasil
Episode Date: December 16, 2025
Reporter/Lectora: Júlia Brown
Original Report: Published by BBC News Brasil, November 24, 2025

Overview

This episode presents a powerful reading of a BBC News Brasil report that delves into the harrowing experiences of Brazilian immigrant mothers whose children suffered bullying and violence in Portuguese schools. Through personal testimonies and expert commentary, the episode exposes the frequency of xenophobic and racist attacks against immigrant children, the absence of effective institutional response, and the emotional toll on families who migrated seeking better lives.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Shocking Incidents of Violence and Bullying ([01:08] - [07:45])

• Case of José (Simfãs, North Portugal):
  • A 9-year-old Brazilian boy had two fingertips amputated after being trapped and having his hand slammed in a bathroom door by other children.
    • His mother, Nívia Estevan, describes repeated ignored warnings to the school:

      “A minha sensação é de muita impunidade e descaso. Eu expus o caso na internet em um ato de socorro.” ([02:10])

  • The family attributes the violence and neglect to growing xenophobia and racism, particularly since José is Black and overweight.
• Case of Miguel (Mira, Central Portugal):
  • Michele Soares's son endured physical assaults, being locked in a bathroom, and verbal xenophobic abuse, including from another mother:

    “Numa apresentação escolar, uma delas se aproximou de Miguel e sussurrou, volta para tua terra.” ([10:53])

  • The impact was severe: Miguel developed sleep difficulties, required medication, and was eventually transferred to another school.
• Case of Lucas (Near Lisbon):
  • Mariana’s son, also Black, was pushed, insulted for his nationality, and eventually had his clavicle fractured after being shoved by peers.
    • She felt powerless as school staff repeatedly downplayed and mischaracterized the attacks:

      “A palavra-chave deles para isso é brincadeira de criança.” ([14:05])

  • Frustrated by inaction and fear for her son’s well-being, she sent him back to Brazil.

2. Institutional Negligence and Lack of Support ([07:45] - [16:30])

• Lack of Effective School Response:
  • Mothers consistently reported being dismissed or having their concerns minimized by teachers and staff.
  • In one extreme instance, a teacher justified her physical assault on Miguel by saying:

    “Me desculpa, mas eu tô sem paciência com o Miguel.” ([12:30])

• Systemic Issues:
  • Repeated emphasis on the failure of schools to recognize or properly address racism and xenophobia.

    “No decorrer do ano em que o aluno esteve na nossa escola, não houve qualquer registro de bullying ou xenofobia.” ([18:45]) — Official school response denying issues.

  • Post-incident, official investigations were launched in some cases, but mothers overwhelmingly felt unsupported and marginalized.

3. Emotional and Psychological Consequences ([12:00] - [16:30])

• Impact on Children:
  • Sleep disorders, anxiety, and retreat into isolation were common among victims.
  • Some children required psychological treatment and developed aversion to school.
  • The trauma forced some families to consider returning to Brazil, despite having sought a better life in Portugal.
• Parental Anguish:
  • Guilt and frustration for the inability to protect their children.

    “Eu me senti uma inútil porque eu não fiz nada, eu não pude proteger ele.” ([13:40])

  • Mariana shares the pain of physical separation after sending her son back to Brazil:

    “Eu consigo mandar dinheiro, prover brinquedos, mas estou perdendo muitos momentos. Perdi ele nadando pela primeira vez sem boia. Perdi ele andando de bicicleta. Qualquer mãe quer passar por isso do lado do filho." ([17:50])

4. Wider Social Context & Expert Commentary ([16:30] - [19:50])

• Rising Xenophobia:
  • Cited studies show increasing anti-immigrant sentiment in Portugal, especially targeting Brazilians—from both adult society and filtering down into school behavior.
    • “51% dos portugueses dizem que a presença de brasileiros deveria diminuir.” ([18:30])
• Expert Opinions:
  • Helena Schmitz (Associação Diásporas):

    "O maior problema é a negação por parte das instituições. Não reconhecer que há um problema de xenofobia impede qualquer ação efetiva." ([19:10])

  • Inês Freire de Andrade (No Bully Portugal):

    “As crianças estão repetindo comportamentos que vêm dos pais ou de outras pessoas adultas.” ([19:30])

  • Highlighted shortcomings: No mandatory or specific legislation on bullying in Portugal, and insufficient teacher preparation for diversity and conflict.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Nívia Estevan (mãe de José), after the incident:

  “Eu fiquei em choque. Como assim o dedo dele não estava no lugar?” ([06:50])

• Michele Soares (mãe de Miguel), about her disillusionment:

  “Atravessei um oceano para dar uma vida melhor para ele e me frustrei.” ([09:20])

• Mariana, on sending her son back to Brazil:

  “O país não está preparado para receber uma criança imigrante.” ([16:00])

• Specialist Helena Schmitz, on institutional denial:

  “Muitas famílias ficam sem respostas e sem compreender como é que se dá o processo, tanto de registro, mas também como de investigação e responsabilização pelos atos.” ([19:17])

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [01:08] – Start of main report and introduction of cases
• [02:10] – Nívia Estevan’s testimony on impunity and neglect
• [06:50] – Description of José’s mutilation and mother’s reaction
• [09:20] – Michele Soares’s account, decision to change schools
• [10:53] – Xenophobic abuse from another parent in front of school
• [12:30] – Teacher's justification for aggression against Miguel
• [13:40] – Parental guilt and emotional toll
• [14:05] – School's minimization: “Brincadeira de criança”
• [16:00] – Mariana’s quote on Portugal’s lack of readiness
• [17:50] – The pain of separation from her son
• [18:30] – Data on Portuguese public attitudes
• [19:10 - 19:30] – Expert criticisms and systemic issues
• [19:50] – Closing of report

Conclusion

This episode exposes the harsh reality faced by Brazilian immigrant families in Portugal: seeking better futures, they instead encounter discrimination, violence, and institutional neglect. The mothers’ raw testimonies and supporting commentary paint a compelling portrait of a society struggling with diversity, with children paying the highest price for adult prejudices and inadequate protections in schools. The piece concludes with a call for improved legal frameworks, data collection, and genuine institutional recognition of xenophobia to protect vulnerable immigrant children.