The sexual abuse of children and adolescents: a study of the phenomenon

Abstract

The history of children and adolescents in Brazil is characterized by violence in its multiple manifestations. These include neglect, institutionalization, abandonment, exploitation at work, hunger, abuse and sexual exploitation. How can we see the signs that a child and/or teenager are the victims of violence? This paper has two aims; first, to examine the phenomenon of violation of rights regarding the abuse and sexual exploitation of children and adolescents, considering the progress made in public policies for coping with sexual abuse, and second, to make some recommendations to the school community to identify the phenomenon and intervene to ensure the protection of children and adolescents. The field research analysed three statements by women who were victims of sexual abuse in childhood, trying to examine whether there was any intervention in the social spheres, as well as looking at the role of the school and the family. A qualitative approach was used with the aim of illustrating the phenomenon based on psychological and historical-social perspectives.