OBJECTIVES: To characterize sexual abuse in children and adolescents registered by the Sentinel Program in Campina Grande PB; to analyze the incidence of sexual abuse; to define the profile of the children and adolescents seen at this program; to identify the main abusers and incidence of this type of abuse in the intra- and extra-family environment. METHODS: This is a descriptive-exploratory study. Data were collected from 60 children and adolescents and treated statistically. RESULTS: There were 23 notifications in 2005 and 37 in 2005. Of these, 51 notifications were related to girls and nine to boys in unfavorable socioeconomic conditions. The prevalent age ranges were from three to five years old and between 12 and 14. The main abusers were stepfathers, fathers, brothers-in-law; boyfriends and unknown men. There were 27 intra-family and 33 extra-family cases. The Tutelary Council Conselho Tutelar mediated most occurrences. CONCLUSION: The incidence of sexual abuse in children and adolescents is increasing, both in the intra-family and the extra-family environment. Continuous education is suggested to support family members and victims of sexual abuse.
Child abuse, sexual; Child abuse, sexual; Battered child syndrome; Domestic violence; Sexual violence; Child advocacy
