As representações sociais das famílias de crianças e adolescentes vítimas de abuso sexual: um estudo sobre os processos educativos no Centro de Referência Especializado de Assistência Social - CREAS de Teixeira de Freitas - BA

Abstract

This study aimed at understanding the social representations that families of children and adolescents victims of sexual abuse have on the educational processes triggered by the intervention of the Centre for Social Assistance Specialized Reference - CREAS the city of Teixeira de Freitas-BA. It also prospect to identify, in the context of the research, the social representations that the CREAS professionals have on the participation of these families in monitoring their children and adolescents. The methodology is based on a qualitative research approach and theoretical-methodological perspective of social representations. The subjects of the study were families of children and adolescents victims of sexual abuse in CREAS responsible for monitoring and professionals working in direct service to the families and victims. As methods of data collection semi-structured interviews were performed with professionals and focus groups and questionnaires were conducted with families. A total of thirteen families participated in the focus group and were asked to answer questionnaire and seven professionals were interviewed. With the authorization from the Federal University of Minas Gerais Research Ethics Committee - UFMG, the period in the field, the exploration period, was five months. The results revealed the main socioeconomic and cultural characteristics of the families accompanied by CREAS, as well as their representations about the institutions work and specifically about the educational dimension in professionals' interventions. The results of the representations of the professionals on the participation of families in the monitoring of their daughters/ sons after sexual abuse are still evident. In general, the research confirms the existence of an educational dimension in the work of the institution; reveals the centrality of professional psychology and emotional support as the most recurring type of representations in support of the families on the work of CREAS and highlights the female single-parent family as a family arrangement prevalent among families participating in the research. It is considered that these results may be important points of reflection about interventions done by professionals along with the families of victims of sexual abuse in CREAS.