Analysis of public policies for combating sexual violence against children and adolescents

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to analyze the main Brazilian public policy for tackling sexual violence against children and adolescents (National Plan for the Combat of Sexual Violence Against Children and Adolescents), focusing on its assistance axis, called "guarantee of integral and specialized assistance". Based on a documental analysis carried out by the method of content analysis, this article discusses the limits and potentialities of the actions of Programa Sentinela (Sentry Program), which is an important execution strategy of the Plan concerning its goal "specialized and multiprofessional assistance for victims of sexual violence and their families". The study shows that in spite of complying with most of the guidelines proposed for assistance, the program still presents intersector difficulties regarding articulation with the assistance network, reference and counter-reference processes and dialogue among the involved professionals. The service's evaluation indicators are precarious, impeding the proper monitoring of the accomplished actions. In addition, the qualification programs offered to the professionals that work in Program Sentinela are not systematic; therefore, the assistance conducts are not standardized. In the scope of Healthcare, there are few structured services with qualified teams to provide this kind of service. Finally, the study shows that despite benefitting a lot of children, adolescents and relatives in situation of sexual violence, specialized assistance still demands larger investments and restructurings in the social and health areas to fulfill the gaps that still exist.