A video showing a homeless elderly man having his hair and beard dyed red by a businessman, in exchange for donations, in São José of Rio Preto (SP), generated wide repercussion. The recording, which initially took place on May 9, gained notoriety and went viral on digital platforms on Sunday (7), provoking strong outrage. The case exposes the vulnerability of individuals in precarious social conditions, raising debates about the ethics of such interactions.
Durante the audiovisual recording, the elderly man, aged 83, shows visible hesitation and resistance to the action proposed by the businessman, indicating his discomfort with the situation. Apesar In addition, the garage owner insists on the painting, even threatening to withdraw the clothing donations that would be destined for the man if he did not agree to participate in the act. Posteriormente, an amount of R$50 was offered, at which point the elderly man seemed to be convinced to continue with the dyeing.
Nota repudiation of Assistência Social highlights vulnerability
The widespread repercussion of the video led Secretaria Municipal of Assistência Social of São José of Rio Preto to issue a formal statement of repudiation about what happened. In the document, the ministry categorized the situation as vexatious and humiliating, highlighting that the elderly man was subjected to this condition within the premises of the company involved. The secretariat emphasized the seriousness of the incident, considering it an exploitation of an individual’s fragility.
Secretária of Assistência Social clarified that the elderly person is a beneficiary of the municipality’s social assistance services, receiving regular monitoring due to his vulnerable situation. The agency also noted that the man faces challenges related to drug use, which worsens his condition and makes him even more susceptible to acts of exploitation. The institution reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the fundamental rights of the homeless population.
- Secretaria informed the measures to be taken in response to what happened:
- Análise delves into the situation to identify possible rights violations.
- Encaminhamento of the case to Defensoria Pública for evaluation and adoption of the appropriate legal measures.
- Reforço provides psychosocial support to the elderly to ensure their well-being and protection.
- Monitoramento continues to experience situations of exploitation of vulnerable people in the region.
Empresário defends action as a “moment of relaxation”
Diante of the wave of criticism and official repudiation, the businessman who appears in the images spoke out through a video released on Sunday (7). Ele defended his attitude, stating that the interaction with the elderly man occurred in a “relaxation moment” and that there was no malicious intention behind the dyeing. The businessman claimed to have known the man for many years, describing him as a friend and acquaintance.
Ele argued that his relationship with the elderly man is long-standing and that he often helps him with donations and support. Segundo version, the proposal to dye the man’s hair and beard aimed to “make you more handsome”, without foreseeing the negative repercussions. The businessman expressed deep regret for the way the situation was interpreted by the public, reiterating his affection for the elderly person and apologizing to those who felt offended.
Repercussão social and forwarding the case to Defensoria
The viralization of the video on social media and the subsequent note of repudiation from Secretaria Municipal by Assistência Social reignited the discussion about the dignity and rights of people living on the streets. Muitos internet users expressed solidarity with the elderly man and criticized the businessman’s attitude, pointing out the lack of respect and unnecessary exposure of vulnerability. The incident sparked a debate about the limits of charitable actions and the importance of genuine consent.
The decision to refer the case to Defensoria Pública underlines the seriousness with which local authorities are treating the matter. Defensoria Pública is an essential body in defending the rights of people in vulnerable situations, and its analysis will be crucial in determining appropriate legal actions. The focus of the investigation should be on safeguarding the dignity of the elderly and holding them accountable for any act that may have compromised their rights.
TV TEM, the media outlet responsible for initially investigating the report, attempted to establish contact with the elderly man and his family to obtain their statements about what happened. Contudo, localization attempts were unsuccessful until the last update of the journalistic material. The lack of direct contact with the victim and their family highlights the difficulty of access and the invisibility that many homeless people face, even in cases of great public repercussion.