Citation

Almeida AN, Ramos V, Almeida HN, Escobar CG, Garcia C. J. Pediatr. (SBP) 2017; 93(4): 374-381.

Affiliation

Hospital Professor Doutor Fernando da Fonseca, Departamento de Pediatria, Unidade de Urgência e Cuidados Intensivos, Amadora, Portugal.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, Sociedade Brasileira de Pediatria)

DOI

10.1016/j.jped.2016.09.005

PMID

28457948

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: This article comprises a sample of abuse modalities observed in a pediatric emergency room (PER) of a public hospital in the Lisbon metropolitan area and a multifactorial characterization of physical and sexual violence. The objectives are: (1) to discuss the importance of social and family variables in the configuration of both types of violence; (2) to show how physical and sexual violence have subtypes and internal diversity.

METHODS: A statistical analysis was carried out in a database (1063 records of child abuse between 2004 and 2013). A form was applied to cases with suspected abuse, containing data on the child, family, abuse episode, abuser, medical history, and clinical observation. A factorial analysis of multiple correspondence was performed to identify patterns of association between social variables and physical and sexual violence, as well as their internal diversity.

RESULTS: The prevalence of abuse in this PER was 0.6%. Physical violence predominated (69.4%), followed by sexual violence (39.3%). Exploratory profiles of these types of violence were constructed. Regarding physical violence, the gender of the abuser was the first differentiating dimension; the victim's gender and age range were the second one. In the case of sexual violence, the age of the abuser and co-residence with him/her comprised the first dimension; the victim's age and gender comprised the second dimension.

CONCLUSION: Patterns of association between victims, family contexts, and abusers were identified. It is necessary to alert clinicians about the importance of social variables in the multiple facets of child abuse.

Copyright © 2017 Sociedade Brasileira de Pediatria. Published by Elsevier Editora Ltda. All rights reserved.

Language: en

Keywords

Children; Crianças; Hospital urgency; Physical violence; Portugal; Sexual violence; Urgência hospitalar; Violência física; Violência sexual