Care to female adolescents victims of sexual violence at a referral service in Brazil from 2011 to 2018

Objective To evaluate the characteristics of aggression, care, and follow up of sexual violence in adolescent women at a university service in Campinas, Sao Paulo, Brazil. Methods In a retrospective cohort study from 2011 to 2018, we assessed sociodemographic characteristics, type and form of sexual violence perpetration, background and perception of the victim about violence, and characteristics of care and social/legal support during the follow up. Results Of 521 adolescents 242 (46.5%) were aged 10-14 years, 354 (68%) had not started sexual life, 465 (89%) perceived the violence and they had low prevalence of alcohol (71, 16%) and other psychoactive substance consumption (25, 6%), and 24 (4.6%) had intellectual disability. Intimidation through physical force, acute abuse, vaginal penetration, acquaintance aggressor, being approached in a public place, and family/acquaintance residence were the most prevalent characteristics of aggression. In the 2017-2018 biennium, we observed a decrease in the prevalence of adolescents who were students (P < 0.001), an increase in the number of acquaintance aggressors (P = 0.008), and medical care after 72 hours (P < 0.033). Conclusion Adolescents were victims of severe sexual violence. There was a decrease in prophylactic treatments and half of the adolescents did not complete outpatient follow up. The economic worsening over the last decade may have contributed to these results.

Automated summary

The study evaluated the characteristics of aggression, care, and follow-up of sexual violence in adolescent women at a university service in Campinas, Sao Paulo, Brazil. Findings showed that many victims were underage girls, the violence was severe, and some victims did not complete outpatient follow-up.