ASPECTS OF CARE FOR CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS VICTIMS OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE IN BRAZIL

• DOI: 10.22533/at.ed.1592782208124

• Palavras-chave: Child sexual abuse; Health care; healthcare providers

• Keywords: Child sexual abuse; Health care; healthcare providers

• Abstract:

  INTRODUCTION: Child sexual abuse is considered an important risk factor for several health problems in childhood and adulthood. The trauma experienced by the victims leaves many consequences in the life and health of survivors, the most visible and immediate being unwanted pregnancy, physical injuries and sexually transmitted diseases. OBJECTIVE: To describe aspects related to assistance provided by health professionals to children and adolescents who are victims of sexual violence in Brazil. METHODOLOGY: This is a descriptive, retrospective research, with a quantitative and qualitative approach, carried out through a narrative review of the literature. A search was carried out in the Virtual Health Library (VHL) and Pubmed databases. The descriptors used for the following study were: Child sexual abuse; Health care; Health professionals. Such descriptors are identified in Health Sciences descriptors (DECs). RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Fifteen studies were identified and included in this research, the year 2012 with the highest number of publications stands out. The most discussed subjects in the identified studies were the forms of action/intervention of health professionals in the face of sexual violence against children and adolescents. Clinical competences in the detection of sexual abuse are important and necessary knowledge and skills in the training of health professionals. It is believed that education programs should sensitize health professionals about the episodes and instruct them how and when to report a suspected case of child abuse and neglect. Victims should be guaranteed care in a timely manner, taking into account their needs and desires; prioritize immediate medical needs and first-line support; transform the environment and the way care is being provided in line with age. CONCLUSION: It can be concluded that the non-reporting of child sexual violence continues to be a reality in Brazil, and this fact was related to the lack of knowledge both about how to identify and about the importance of reporting, which leads to reflection on the process training of health professionals on the subject.