As a way of drawing attention to the urgency of combating the abuse and sexual exploitation of children and adolescents in Brazil, the month of May is marked by the National Day to Combat Abuse and Sexual and Commercial Exploitation of Children and Adolescents. The date receives the attention of the multidisciplinary team at the Santos Dumont Institute (ISD) through awareness actions among the population served at the Anita Garibaldi Health Education and Research Center and on the Institute's social networks.

Preventing and combating child and youth sexual violence has been the focus of actions in the waiting room – in the space where Anita users wait for care – carried out by professionals from the areas of Social Service, Psychology and Nursing at Anita/ISD throughout the year. month known as “Orange May”. The date was established in 2000, in reference to the kidnapping of Araceli, an eight-year-old girl who was sexually assaulted and murdered in Vitória (ES) in 1973.

According to ISD's multi-professional social worker preceptor, Renata Rocha, the objective of the awareness actions this month is to “address the types of child and adolescent sexual violence, inform about the victim care network and the possible consequences in the lives of those who suffer the violence".  

Waiting room action on preventing and combating child sexual violence, held on May 13th. 

NUMBERS 

Safernet data released by the United Nations Children's Fund (Unicef) shows that every 15 minutes, a child or adolescent suffers sexual violence in Brazil and 77% of the aggressors are from the victim's family or acquaintances. 

According to the latest Human Rights report published in 2019 and released by the Ministry of Women, Family and Human Rights, for every 159 thousand records made by Dial 100, around 86.8 thousand are related to violations of the rights of children or adolescents, sexual violence appears in 11% of complaints, which corresponds to 17 thousand occurrences in 2019 alone. The report also points out that there is underreporting of these cases, which are not always reported. 

SIGNALS

Fear of being alone or with someone specific, changes in behavior, learning difficulties, running away from home and thoughts or attempts at suicide are among the possible signs that can be seen in the behavior of victims of violence, whether physical or psychological, according to reports the booklet “Identification of signs of child sexual violence”, produced by the ISD's multi-professional social worker preceptor, Alexandra Lima, and the Institute's multi-professional psychologist preceptor, Carla Glenda Souza.

The booklet warns that children and adolescents can be victims of different types of violence and exploitation. The material is used in classes for students of the Multiprofessional Residency in the Care of People with Disabilities and in training workshops for the ISD's Making Right(s) project, which serves women, trans women, children and adolescents who are victims of sexual violence. 

Regarding sexual violence, apparent physical signs that may indicate abuse and exploitation include torn or bloodstained clothing, pain or itching in the genital area and throat, and sexually transmitted infections. 

PREVENTION 

Social worker Alexandra Lima explains that prevention actions involve educating children about their bodies and the limits that third parties need to have over them. “From the age of one and a half, children should already learn about their body and, from the age of three, recognize their sexual organs. This way, she grows up knowing that an abusive action should not happen and, if it does, the chances of her being able to seek help are greater,” he explained. 

The booklet also indicates essential actions by adults to pay attention to sudden changes in the behavior of children and adolescents, especially when they express sadness, aggression and learning difficulties. 

DOING LAW(S)

Since 2016, Making Rights has enabled healthcare professionals to be better prepared to address situations of gender-based violence, deal with victims and strengthen the SUS with regard to the premise of protecting the human rights and citizenship of victims of violence. 

As of 2017, the project incorporated the reference service for care for children, adolescents, women and trans women in situations of sexual violence. The Service works in partnership with the State Department of Public Health (Sesap-RN) and was created by ISD within the scope of maternal and child health care, to guarantee comprehensive care for victims, assisting in assistance and appropriate referrals within the network of actors involved.

COMPLAINTS 

Cases of violence involving children and adolescents can be reported free of charge and anonymously through Dial 100, the number is available throughout Brazil. The Social Assistance Reference Centers and Guardianship Council of each municipality and state are also part of the care network for these cases.