Sexual Violence Suffered by Women in Early and Late Adolescence: Care Provided and Follow-Up

Abstract

Objective To compare the sexual violence suffered by women in early and late adolescence, the reactions triggered after the aggression, and the care provided.

Methods A retrospective study in which we reviewed the medical records of 521 female adolescents treated by a multidisciplinary team at a reference hospital in the city of Campinas, state of São Paulo, Brazil. We analyzed sociodemographic variables, and those pertainin to the characteristics of the episodes of violence, the emergency care, and the physical and psychological reactions observed during the follow-up. For the analysis, the sample was divided into groups of early (10 to 14 years) and late (15 to 18 years) adolescence. We used the Chi-squared/Fisher Exact, Mann-Whitney, and Kruskal-Wallis tests to compare the groups; the level of significance adopted was 5%.

Results The early group (n = 242) contained more adolescents who were enrolled in school (p < 0.001), suffered more daytime aggressions (p = 0.031), in their residences (p < 0.001), by an aggressor with whom they were acquainted (p < 0.001), had greater need of legal protection (p = 0.001), and took longer to seek care (p = 0.048). Feelings of guilt, shame, and the perception of violence were similar between the groups. In the late group (n = 279), there was greater consumption of alcohol during the aggression (p = 0,005); they received significantly more prophylaxis treatments; reported more physical symptoms (p = 0.033), sleep disorders (p = 0.003), symptoms of anxiety (p = 0.045), and feelings of anguish (p = 0.011); and had more prescriptions of psychotropics (p = 0.005). Only 52% completed the 6-month follow-up, with no differences between the groups.

Conclusion The age groups showed differences in the characteristics of the episodes of violence; early adolescents took longer to seek help, and the late group presented more intense symptoms and psychological worsening during the follow-up. Measures of prevention and specific care aimed at this population are needed.

Resumo

Objetivo Comparar a violência sexual sofrida por vítimas no início e no final da adolescência, as reações desencadeadas após a agressão, e o cuidado de saúde dispensado.

Métodos Estudo retrospectivo, em que foram revisados os prontuários de 521 mulheres adolescentes atendidas por equipe multiprofissional em hospital de referência em Campinas, São Paulo, Brasil. As variáveis foram sociodemográficas, e aquelas relativas às características da violência, ao atendimento de emergência, e às reações físicas e psicológicas observadas durante o seguimento nos grupos de adolescentes de idade precoce (10a 14 anos) e tardia (15 a 18 anos). Utilizamos os testes do Qui-quadrado/Exato de Fisher, Mann-Whitney e Kruskal-Wallis para comparar os grupos; adotamos o nível de significância de 5%.

Resultados O grupo precoce (n = 242) continha maior número de estudantes (p < 0,001), que sofreram mais agressões diurnas (p = 0,031), em suas residências (p < 0,001), por agressor conhecido (p < 0,001), tiveram maior necessidade de proteção legal (p = 0,001), e demoraram mais a procurar atendimento (p = 0,048). Sentimentos de culpa, vergonha e a percepção da violência foram similares entre os grupos. No grupo tardio (n = 279) houve maior consumo de álcool durante a agressão (p = 0,005); as adolescentes receberam significativamente mais tratamentos de profilaxia; relataram mais sintomas físicos (p = 0,033), distúrbios do sono (p = 0,003), sintomas de ansiedade (p = 0,045), e sentimentos de angústia (p = 0,011); e receberam mais prescrições de psicotrópicos (p = 0,005). Apenas 52% completaram o seguimento de 6 meses, sem diferenças entre os grupos.

Conclusão Os grupos apresentaram diferenças nas características da violência; as adolescentes precoces chegaram mais tardiamente ao serviço, e o grupo tardio apresentou maior sintomatologia e piora psicológica no seguimento. São necessárias medidas de prevenção e cuidados específicos voltados a essa população.

Keywords

adolescence - women - sexual violence - sexual assault - mental health - emergency care - retrospective study

Palavras-chave

adolescência - mulher - violência sexual - agressão sexual - saúde mental - atendimento de emergência - estudo retrospectivo

Contributors

All authors participated in: the concept and design of the present study; analysis and interpretation of data; draft or revision of the manuscript; and they have approved the manuscript as submitted. All authors are responsible for the reported research.

Publication History

Received: 19 May 2021

Accepted: 18 November 2021

Article published online:
11 March 2022

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