COMBATING SEXUAL VIOLENCE IN CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS: WHAT IS THE ROLE OF NURSING?

Abstract

Sexual violence against children and adolescents is an issue that has been ongoing for centuries and has always been in our midst. For a long time, there has been no effectiveness in reducing cases and there are doubts about how health professionals should act in such situations. Sexual violence not only causes physical injuries, but also a series of feelings and problems that victims will carry throughout their lives. Therefore, it is necessary to evaluate how nurses should act, the objective of this work is centered on this, mainly in evaluating the training of nursing professionals. Through a literature review, articles were selected that discuss sexual violence and the role of nurses in the situation. As a result, it was observed that nurses must act in cases of violence, look for signs of abuse, guide parents and the importance of notifying the case. Difficulties were identified on the part of health professionals in acting and providing specific care for victims, which is explained by the lack of professional training in situations of sexual violence. Therefore, it is extremely important to ensure that nursing professionals know their role in the face of sexual violence, especially how to identify, notify and pass it on to the entire multidisciplinary team.