FORENSIC SEXOLOGY – CHALLENGES IN MANAGING SEXUAL VIOLENCE AGAINST MINORS

Abstract

Sexual violence is a multifactorial public health issue, characterized as a violation of human rights, with impacts that particularly affect children and adolescents. In Brazil, sexual violence against minors remains alarming, exacerbated by factors such as fear of retaliation, social taboos, and weaknesses in the support network. This study aims to explore the challenges in managing child and adolescent victims through a bibliographic review conducted systematically, justified by the relevance and knowledge gaps on the topic. The methodology was based on the PCC protocol (Population, Concept, Context), addressing national and international studies published over the last 20 years. The databases included PubMed, LILACS, and Google Scholar, with inclusion criteria focused on the age group of 0 to 18 years and a focus on sexual violence. After screening and selection, nine studies met the established criteria. The results highlight that sexual violence against children and adolescents is recurrent in Brazil, predominantly in urban areas, and often perpetrated by individuals close to the victims. The consequences include physical, psychological, cognitive, and behavioral harm, reinforcing the importance of a well-structured support network. Despite efforts by entities such as the Child Protective Services and public policies, challenges such as a lack of professional training, disarticulation among services, and revictimization persist. It is considered that strengthening support networks, training professionals, and promoting interdisciplinary collaboration are crucial for more efficient management, in addition to the need for further studies to deepen the understanding of the topic and its complexities.