Family Relationships in the Context of Gender-Based Violence

Abstract

This study aimed at analysing social representation of family relationships in the context of gender-based violence. This qualitative research was based on the Theory of Social Representations and it was conducted with 19 family members of women in the situation of gender-based violence, registered in Family Health Strategy units of Jequié, Bahia. Data was collected through a semi-structured interview between April and September 2014 and data organization was done according to the content analysis technique. The family members' social representations showed gender-based violence as a crime and the need towards actions to minimize its occurrence. They also indicated that gender-based violence results in illness of family members and as it is restricted to the private area of the house, it contributes towards its silence. Proper training of health, education and welfare services of the anti-violence network is urgent, observing public policies dealing with gender-based violence.