Abuso sexual infantil intrafamiliar: a subnotificação e os serviços de saúde

Abstract

This research investigated issues relating to diagnosis and reporting cases of child sexual abuse from the health services in the Maringá city. Sexual abuse against children is a public health problem due to the high epidemiological incidence and the severe consequences arising from it. Although the work has been made from the municipal administration to confront this problem, there are few cases officially reported, which restrains the problem and the creation of appropriate policies. Health care facilities are ideal areas for early detection and reporting of cases, but in order to do so it is essential that health professionals, identifying the occurrence of violence, especially within the family, feel safe to report. Difficulties related to the detection, notification and network operations in support of victims were raised. That procedure allowed the inference of strategic points for the development of training programs required for the establishment of actions to oppose child sexual abuse. The professionals had major difficulties regarding to early diagnosis and information deficit concerning the process of notification and the referral of cases. These difficulties can be minimized by adopting a policy of continuing education and strengthening the network of child protection and the complainant.