RECEPTION AND ASSISTANCE PROVIDED BY NURSES TO WOMEN VICTIMS OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE IN AN EMERGENCY UNIT

Abstract

Violence against women is considered one of the primary violations of their human rights. This act involves the appropriation of a woman's body, directly impacting her health and physical integrity, presenting itself as a public health issue. Currently, Brazil ranks 5th in the world, among the most violent countries against women. Women are supported by laws that ensure their safety and assistance at all necessary levels, as advocated by the National Policy to Confront Violence Against Women. The study aims to reflect, based on scientific literature, on the skills and knowledge of nurses in providing care to women victims of sexual violence, guided by protocols from the Ministry of Health, for compassionate and humanized care in emergency units. This is an integrative literature review, developed through the formulation of a guiding question, literature search, categorization of selected data, and analysis and synthesis of review results. The search was conducted in the Nursing Database and the Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature, with a timeframe from 2018 to 2023, resulting in 14 articles. Currently, violence against women has gained significant attention, with an increase in victims seeking services. However, professionals still feel insecure and unsupported, despite established protocols for handling such situations. Sensitizing nurses to their roles in this critical moment is essential, as they are often the first listeners post-assault, emphasizing the need for compassionate care and emotional support, as perceived by the victim who decides whether to proceed with the entire process or interrupt it. Research and awareness regarding violence against women, as well as nursing responsibilities in victim care, are crucial to promoting the safety and well-being of women. Through this study, the indispensable role of nurses in assisting women victims of sexual violence has been highlighted, serving as a key element for the initiation and continuation of treatment, including aspects such as humanization an expectation from women seeking health services from the very beginning. Despite its relevance to women's health, there is still a scarcity of studies addressing the topic in contemporary times. Therefore, we suggest further research in this area to disseminate knowledge that empowers victims and nursing professionals in providing safe and compassionate care.