Unveiling the Flowers: The Views of Female Victims of Rape on the Care Offered in a Teaching Hospital

Melissa de Oliveira Araújo () and Karla Patrícia Cardoso Amorim
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Melissa de Oliveira Araújo: Postgraduate Program of Public Health, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal 59078-900, Brazil
Karla Patrícia Cardoso Amorim: Department of Medicine, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal 59078-900, Brazil

IJERPH, 2025, vol. 22, issue 8, 1-16

Abstract: This study aimed to analyze the perception of women who were victims of rape about the care provided at a teaching hospital located in the northeast of Brazil. A qualitative study was conducted with seven women. The interviews took place in a trustworthy and confidential environment in the presence of a psychologist. The data were analyzed through content analysis, evidencing the women’s perceptions. The sample was achieved by convenience sampling and was homogeneous, with a profile of women who were young, white/black, and single, with low education and a history of sexual violence. Positive views about the care provided at the hospital included its status as a reference center, motivating women to seek health services. The legitimization of women’s rights, effective care, and the possibility of having a legal abortion were also mentioned. The challenges reported included the need for a prepared health team and more humanized and multidisciplinary care. Women who had suffered rape sought medical assistance for support, guidance, and a humane approach to understanding their rights, often finding a compassionate response from the teaching hospital staff. Despite advances in care, challenges remain, such as perceived judgment regarding legal abortion, highlighting the need for policies that better meet the needs of victims.

Keywords: rape; sex offenses; domestic violence; women’s health services; sexual trauma; legal abortion (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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