Care for people in situations of sexual violence: data from a reference service in Maranhão

Abstract

Objective: To identify the epidemiological and sociodemographic profile of individuals in situations of sexual violence attended at a hospital in a capital city in the northeastern region of Brazil. Methods: Observational cross-sectional study including all individuals (540) in situations of violence attended at the hospital between January 2019 and December 2021. Data collection was conducted using physical and electronic medical records, as well as mandatory notification forms. Results: We observed a decrease in the number of victims attended in 2020 compared to 2019 and 2021, which coincided with the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. The victims of sexual violence were predominantly female (92.8%), adolescents (56.7%), of mixed race (61.8%), and had incomplete elementary education (62.2%). Most of the aggressors were known to the victims (77.4%) and were adults (63.9%). The primary location of occurrence was the victims’ residence (69%). The majority of patients (77%) received their first medical care more than 72 hours after the violence. Conclusion: The victims of violence attended at the hospital mostly have sociodemographic characteristics associated with social vulnerability and arrive late for their first medical care after the violence.