Experiences of adolescent victims of family violence and institucionalized in Brazil

Objective: analyze the experiences of adolescent victims of domestic violence who were cared for in an institution in a municipality of São Paulo, Brazil. Methods: qualitative research, anchored by the Robert Castell concepts... [ view full abstract ]

Objective: analyze the experiences of adolescent victims of domestic violence who were cared for in an institution in a municipality of São Paulo, Brazil. Methods: qualitative research, anchored by the Robert Castell concepts of vulnerability / disaffiliation, with data collection occurring through focus groups with 17 adolescents; the data analysis was based on content analysis, using a thematic modality. Results: The family would be a major component of relational insertion that determine “social existence” of children and adolescents; while primary group, it is presented as a space to establishment fundamental bonds for its membership in other larger groups. When relations in this context, it should be healthy, paradoxically become violent, it generates a breaking of bonds, and it can keep children and adolescents in the sphere of disaffiliation: "We just have to oneself" (Focus group 1). This violent experience exposes children and adolescents to other vulnerabilities. The child or adolescent may be removed from family life and institutionalized as the ultimate measure of protection; this situation still holds this actor in a passage place, where the bonds become temporary and relationships, unstable. The street is also configured as a space of transition and coexistence, especially for these actors; in this context, drugs use emerged, and it is considered not only the scope of addiction, but by other functions as an escape of conflicts; anesthesia to difficult situations; decreased frustration, hunger and fear. Conclusions: Through the vulnerability / disaffiliation concepts, it is possible to look the children and adolescents victims of domestic violence ways, in the Brazilian context, and to implement integral care to these families. Studies in other contexts and in the violence prevention area are needed.