Sexual abuse in childhood and its repercussions in adult life

Abstract

Objective: to understand the repercussions of sexual abuse in the adult life of women who were sexually abused in childhood. Method: qualitative research, developed through unstructured interviews with nine women in a Reference Center for Women, in the semiarid region of the state of Pernambuco, Brazil. The interpretation of the results was based on the approach of Comprehensive Sociology and Daily Life in order to identify the underground centrality submerged in the daily life of the participants and which could emerge through their reactions from the experience of sexual abuse. Results: after interpretation, the results were grouped into the categories: Family life after the revelation of sexual abuse; The daily life of girls experiencing sexual abuse; and Repercussions of sexual abuse in the adult life of sexually abused women in childhood. The repercussions of sexual abuse were described as difficulties in family life, pregnancy, hypersexual behavior, prostitution, gender and sex contradiction, difficulties to have orgasm, drug use, low self-esteem, depression, self-destructive behavior, suicidal ideation and homicide. Conclusion: exposure to sexual abuse in the family context has impaired the physical and emotional health of girls and adolescents, as well as family coexistence, pointing to the need to adopt sensitivity and solidarity in the care of women with complaints that may be associated with experiences of sexual abuse.