A disturbing digital trend in Brazil has sparked international alarm and government intervention after videos surfaced of men “training” to assault women. The viral TikTok trend, characterized by the slogan “I’m training in case she says no,” involves men filming themselves delivering punches, kicks, and knife strikes to mannequins designed to represent women.
The trend has moved beyond digital provocation, coinciding with a brutal real-world attack in February 2026. Alana Anisio Rosa, a 20-year-old woman, was stabbed approximately 50 times at her home by a man who had been sending her flowers and chocolates but whose advances she had refused. According to the victim’s mother, Jaderluce Anisio de Oliveira, the attacker had been consuming the specific type of misogynistic content circulating on social media shared by Femme Actuelle.
The surge of these videos reached a peak around March 8, coinciding with International Women’s Day, prompting the Brazilian government to take direct action against the platform. The incident highlights a growing concern regarding the radicalization of men through algorithmic recommendations and the real-world consequences of online hate speech.
Government Intervention and TikTok’s Accountability
In response to the viral nature of these videos, the Brazilian Ministry of Justice has formally intervened. On March 11, 2026, the government summoned TikTok to explain its moderation processes and the algorithms used to recommend content as reported by Le Figaro.
The Ministry’s inquiry focuses on several critical areas of platform governance:
- The specific mechanisms in place to detect and remove misogynistic content.
- How the recommendation algorithm contributes to the spread of such videos.
- Whether the profiles sharing this “training” content received financial remuneration from the platform.
The Brazilian government has emphasized that the responsibility of social media platforms extends beyond simply deleting content upon request; they are being held accountable for the systemic way this violence is promoted. TikTok was given a five-day deadline to respond to the Ministry’s letter.
The Link Between Online Misogyny and Physical Violence
Experts and officials in Brazil are warning that this trend is not an isolated series of videos but part of a broader “process of radicalization.” Estela Bezerra, who leads the state body responsible for combating violence against women, has described the trend as a “discourse of hate” that threatens to return society to an “era of barbarism” via TV5Monde.
The case of Alana Anisio Rosa serves as a harrowing example of this trajectory. After being stabbed dozens of times, Rosa was placed in a medically induced coma and required multiple surgeries and several weeks of recovery. The contrast between the attacker’s initial behavior—sending chocolates and flowers—and the extreme violence of the attack underscores the volatility associated with this mindset of entitlement and the “training” for rejection.
This violence occurs against a backdrop of systemic crisis. In the previous year, Brazil recorded a record 1,586 feminicides according to reports cited by Femme Actuelle, suggesting that the online trend is fueling an already dangerous environment for women in the country.
Societal Pushback and Counter-Trends
Despite the alarming rise of these videos, a counter-movement has emerged. Many Brazilians have used the same TikTok trend to subvert the original message, filming themselves demonstrating healthy and respectful ways to handle romantic rejection. These users are attempting to replace the narrative of violence with one of emotional maturity and respect for consent.
Key Takeaways on the TikTok Misogyny Trend
- The Trend: Men filming “training” sessions attacking mannequins with the slogan “I’m training in case she says no.”
- Real-World Impact: Linked to a February 2026 attack where 20-year-old Alana Anisio Rosa was stabbed approximately 50 times.
- Government Action: The Brazilian Ministry of Justice has demanded explanations from TikTok regarding its moderation and algorithms.
- Systemic Context: Brazil saw a record 1,586 feminicides last year, exacerbating the danger of online radicalization.
The Brazilian government continues to monitor TikTok’s response to the Ministry of Justice’s demands regarding its moderation systems. Further updates are expected as the platform addresses the legality of its recommendation algorithms in the face of escalating gender-based violence.
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