BackgroundSexual violence is considered a serious violation of human rights which affects mainly young women and adolescents. There is little information about the conditions under which sexual offences occur. We evaluated characteristics of sexual violence against adolescent girls and adult women.MethodThis is a quantitative, retrospective, descriptive study of sexual violence against adolescent girls and adult women. Analyses were carried out on data collected from 1118 women, 546 adolescents (10-19 years) and 572 adults (≥ 20 years), with a complaint of rape treated at Hospital Pérola Byington, São Paulo, between 1994 and 1999. The age limit of the adolescent sample met the World Health Organization’s (WHO) criteria. We analyzed the type of sexual contact, degree of intimidation, perpetrator and activity of the victim during the approach.ResultsCrimes without penetration were five times more frequent in adolescents and use of threats of death or intimidation was common in both groups. Mental illness was more prevalent in adult victims and the majority of adolescent victims were aged <14 years. Uncle and stepfather perpetrators were more frequent among adolescents and partners or former intimate partners in adult women. In most cases the approach occurred in public places, although sex crimes at the perpetrator’s residence were more frequent amongst adolescents.ConclusionsAlthough children and adolescents require the same intervention measures and legal protection, a considerable proportion of adolescent sex offenders can face conditions similar to those of adult women.

ResumoA violência sexual é classificada como grave violação de direitos humanos e importante problema de saúde pública, representando a extrema restrição da autonomia sexual e reprodutiva da mulher. Trata-se de um fenômeno universal de rápido crescimento e elevada prevalência na população. Embora possa comprometer pessoas de ambos os sexos e em todas as idades, as evidências apontam que a violência sexual declina contundentemente sobre as mulheres, particularmente as mais jovens e vulneráveis. O objetivo deste artigo foi descrever a experiência de um serviço de referência para atendimento de pessoas em situação de violência, com ênfase na organização das ações e papel dos profissionais de psicologia na atenção interdisciplinar.Palavras-chave: Psicologia Clínica. Violência Sexual. Criança. AbstractSexual violence is taken to be a serious violation of human rights and an important problem of public health, representing the extreme restriction of sexual and reproductive autonomy of women. It is a universal increasing phenomenon and a high prevalence in the population. Though it could compromise persons of both sexes and all ages, evidences point that sexual violence affects preponderantly women, particularly the youngest and vulnerable. The objective of this article is to describe the experience of a service of reference for caring people in situations of violence, with an emphasis in the organization of actions and the role of professionals of psychology in interdisciplinary care.

No abstract