Profile of female survivors of sexual violence in the first 6 months of the COVID-19 quarantine in the city of Campinas, Brazil: A cross-sectional retrospective study.

OBJECTIVES: Describe the characteristics and changes in the profile of women who sought care after experiencing sexual violence (SV) during the first six months of the COVID-19 pandemic in a Brazilian city. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional retrospective study. Data from emergency care and legal abortion requests of women assisted at the Women's Health Care Center Hospital (School of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas, Brazil) due to SV experienced between March 23 and August 23, 2020 (Quarantine Group, QG), were collected and compared with data from the same period of the previous biennium (Comparison Group, CG). χ2 and Fisher's exact tests were used to compare groups; the significance level was 5%. RESULTS: Data for 236 women were analyzed; 70 women were included in the QG and 166 in the CG. In the QG, there was a restriction in the area of origin of women, with a higher proportion of women who lived in Campinas (P = 0.0007) and a higher frequency of chronic SV (P = 0,035). There were no rapes associated with the use of social media or apps in the QG, but 9.8% of women in the CG experienced rape associated with the use of social media or apps. There were higher rates of domestic violence (P = 0.022) and intimidation through physical force (P = 0.011) in the first two months. CONCLUSION: The COVID-19 quarantine affected the profile of women who sought care after experiencing SV. The quarantine resulted in changes in the area of origin of patients, hindering access to health services and leading to higher rates of chronic and domestic SV, particularly in the first 2 months of the pandemic.

Male rape in Brazil: A descriptive analysis from 2010 to 2022.

Male rape is a relatively under-discussed topic in scientific literature, despite its significant relevance and prevalence worldwide, including in Brazil. To inform public health and safety policies, this study aimed to analyze cases of male rape using data from SINAN, the Information System for Notifiable Diseases, a division of the Brazilian Ministry of Health, for the years 2010-2022. Our findings reveal a 469 % increase in male rape cases in the country over the study period, with a predominance of cases in the state of São Paulo. Also, a higher prevalence of cases was observed among individuals aged 5-9 years. Furthermore, we identified a correlation between the occurrence of rape and certain factors, including individuals with less than 4 years of formal education if they were over the age of 50, and those who had a history of being sexually abused between the ages of 5 and 14. Additionally, this study reinforces the prevalence of rape cases occurring within domestic environments and perpetrated by individuals closely related to the victims. This study contributes to filling the gap in research on male rape in Brazil, laying the foundation for the development of strategies to prevent and combat rape in the country.

Characterization of male sexual assault in the state of São Paulo, Brazil: an epidemiological study from 2014 to 2017.

Sexual violence is a pervasive global issue that affects individuals of all genders. However, the experiences of male survivors have often been marginalized and inadequately represented. Male rape, which encompasses several forms of sexual violence against men, remains a sensitive and under-discussed topic in academic literature and public discourse. This study presents a descriptive cross-sectional analysis based on data collected from the Legal Medicine Institute (IML-São Paulo, Brazil) between 2014 and 2017. The analysis includes 7386 reports of sexological examinations performed on male victims of alleged rape. The analysis reveals that a significant majority of rape reports involved victims under the age of 12 or 14, which is considered vulnerable rape by the Brazilian legislation. Regarding the examination of reported cases of abuse against men, it was observed that only the minority of these cases exhibited visible injuries consistent with rape or tested positive for the presence of spermatozoa in the perianal region. Since the absence of visible injuries or spermatozoa does not negate the possibility of rape, this work highlights the challenges in obtaining conclusive evidence, necessitating a comprehensive approach to investigate and prosecute these crimes, creating a more inclusive and supportive environment for all survivors of rape, irrespective of their gender.

Identification and Attribution of Blame in Rape Situations by University Students / Identificação e Responsabilização de Situações de Estupro por Estudantes Universitários / Identificación y Responsabilización de Situaciones de Violación por Estudiantes Universitarios

Abstract Although society criminalizes rape, many institutions reproduce stereotypes of this sexual assault. Rape can also occur in the university and in various ways that do not correspond to its stereotypes. The article aimed to evaluate how undergraduates identify situations of rape and how they attribute fault to the victim and the aggressor. 228 participants commented on fictional stories of rape that manipulated the variables: sexual assault with or without penetration; previous behavior of the victim; previous relationship between the characters; and presence or absence of physical strength in the rape. The results showed that these variables influence the identification of rape and that male students tend to blame victims more than female students. Understanding the multiple variables that affect identification and attribution of blame can lead to more effective sexual violence prevention and intervention strategies.

Resumo Embora a sociedade tipifique o crime de estupro, muitas instituições reproduzem estereótipos desta violência sexual. Nas universidades, o estupro pode ocorrer de diversas maneiras que não correspondem ao seu estereótipo. O objetivo deste estudo foi aferir como alunos/as de graduação identificam situações de estupro nas interações entre acadêmicos/as e como atribuem responsabilidade à vítima e aos agressores. Para isso, 228 participantes opinaram sobre histórias fictícias de estupro que manipulavam as variáveis: violência sexual com ou sem penetração; comportamento prévio da vítima; relacionamento prévio entre os personagens e a presença ou ausência de força física no estupro. Os resultados mostraram que essas variáveis influenciam na identificação do estupro e que os universitários homens tendem a culpabilizar mais as vítimas do que as universitárias mulheres. Compreender os múltiplos fatores que afetam a identificação e responsabilização de situações de violência sexual pode subsidiar estratégias mais efetivas de intervenção e prevenção.

Resumen Aunque la sociedad tipifique el delito de violación, sus estereotipos todavía son reproducidos por varias instituciones. En el contexto universitario, la violación puede ocurrir de varias maneras que no corresponden a lo que se concibe en su estereotipo. Por lo tanto, el objetivo de este artículo fue evaluar cómo los estudiantes de grado identifican las situaciones de violación y cómo se lleva a cabo la asignación de responsabilización de la víctima y de los agresores. Para esto, 228 participantes comentaron sobre historias ficticias de violación que manipulaban las variables: violación con o sin penetración; comportamiento previo de la víctima; relación previa entre los personajes y la presencia o ausencia de fuerza física. Se concluyó que estas variables influyen en la identificación de la violación y que los estudiantes hombres tienden a culpar más a las víctimas que las estudiantes mujeres. Se espera que comprender los múltiples factores que influyen en la identificación y responsabilización de situaciones de violencia sexual puede auxiliar estrategias más efectivas para actividades de intervención y prevención.

Trend and spatial pattern of intimate partner rape notifications against women in Northeast Brazil (2013-2022) / Tendência e padrão espacial das notificações de estupro por parceiro íntimo contra mulheres no Nordeste do Brasil (2013-2022)

ABSTRACT Objective: To analyze the trend and spatial pattern of intimate partner rape reports against women in Northeast Brazil. Methods: Ecological time-series study and spatial analysis with secondary data from the Notifiable Diseases Information System between 2013 and 2022. Gross rape rates were calculated by type of intimate partner and by age group of the victim. Prais-Winsten regression was used to calculate the trend, and the global and local Moran indices were used for spatial analysis. Results: A total of 5,542 cases of intimate partner rape were reported. Spousal rates ranged from 0.34/100,000 women in 2013 to 0.51/100,000 in 2017, with greater increases between 2018 (1.04/100 thousand) and 2022 (1.28/100 thousand). There was an upward trend in the Northeast as a whole (APC=19.47; 95%CI 15.88-23.22) and in almost all states, except Paraíba and Sergipe. Cases perpetrated by boyfriends (APC=23.90; 95%CI 12.80-36.09) and among women aged 15 to 19 years (APC=22.63; 95%CI 4.18-44.35) showed the highest annual variation. A concentration of high rates was observed in several municipalities in the northwest of Ceará and southeast of Pernambuco. Conclusion: The trend in intimate partner rape rates against women increased in the Northeast, especially among younger women and by boyfriends, with a greater agglomeration of notifications in Ceará and Pernambuco.

RESUMO Objetivo: Analisar a tendência e o padrão espacial das notificações de estupro por parceiro íntimo contra mulheres no Nordeste do Brasil. Métodos: Estudo ecológico de série temporal e análise espacial com dados secundários do Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação (SINAN) entre 2013 e 2022. Foram calculadas taxas brutas de estupro por tipo de parceiro íntimo e por faixa etária da vítima. Para o cálculo de tendência, utilizou-se a regressão de Prais-Winsten e, para a análise espacial, adotou-se o índice global e local de Moran. Resultados: Foram notificados 5.542 casos de estupro pelo parceiro íntimo. As taxas perpetradas pelo cônjuge variaram de 0,34/100 mil mulheres em 2013 para 0,51/100 mil em 2017, com maiores elevações entre 2018 (1,04/100 mil) e 2022 (1,28/100 mil). Houve tendência de aumento no Nordeste como um todo (VPA=19,47; IC95% 15,88-23,22) e em quase todos os estados, exceto Paraíba e Sergipe. Os casos perpetrados por namorados (VPA=23,90; IC95% 12,80-36,09) e entre mulheres de 15 a 19 anos (VPA=22,63; IC95% 4,18-44,35) exibiram maior variação anual. Observou-se concentração de altas taxas em diversos municípios no noroeste do Ceará e no sudeste de Pernambuco. Conclusão: A tendência das taxas de estupro contra mulheres perpetrado pelo parceiro íntimo aumentou no Nordeste, principalmente entre as mais jovens e por namorados, tendo maior aglomerado de notificações no Ceará e em Pernambuco.

Gravidez em meninas menores de 14 anos: análise espacial no Brasil, 2011 a 2021 / Pregnancy in girls under 14 years old: Spatial analysis in Brazil, 2011-2021

Resumo O objetivo foi analisar a distribuição espacial da gravidez em menores de 14 anos e seis meses segundo regiões e municípios brasileiros e características sociodemográficas e de saúde das parturientes e nascidos vivos. Estudo ecológico, analisando o Sistema de Informação sobre Nascidos Vivos (SINASC), 2011-2021, em três grupos etários (<14 anos e 6 meses, 15-19 e 20 anos e mais), segundo variáveis demográficas e do parto. Foram aplicados os Índices Global e Local de Moran. No período foram 127.022 nascidos vivos de meninas 10-14 anos, na maioria negras, 21,1% em união estável ou casadas, com menor proporção de 7 consultas de pré-natal e captação no primeiro trimestre, maior proporção de baixo peso ao nascer e baixo índice de Apgar, residentes nas regiões Norte e Nordeste. A taxa média de nascidos vivos de 10-14 anos mostrou autocorrelação significativa com o espaço, especialmente em municípios do Centro-Oeste e Norte. A gravidez de 10 a 14 revela uma sequência de vulnerabilidades sofridas por essas meninas, pela gravidez em idade precoce, maior frequência entre negras, com implicações na morbimortalidade para ela e seus filhos; e pela violência presumida nesses casos, incluindo o acesso negado ao aborto legal.

Abstract The objective was to analyze the spatial distribution of pregnancy in children under 14 years and six months by Brazilian region and municipality and sociodemographic and health characteristics of pregnant women and live births. Ecological study analyzing the Live Birth Information System (SINASC) from 2011 to 2021 in three age groups (< 14 years and six months, 15-19 years, and 20 years and above) by demographic and birth variables. We applied the Global and Local Moran. A total of 127,022 live births to girls aged 10-14 years were identified during the period, most of whom were Black, 21.1% in common-law or married relationships, with a lower proportion of seven prenatal care appointments and enrollment in the first trimester, a higher proportion of low birth weight and low Apgar score, residing in the North and Northeast. The mean live birth rate for 10-to-14-year-old girls was significantly autocorrelated with space, especially in municipalities of the Midwest and North. Pregnancy from 10 to 14 years of age reveals several vulnerabilities suffered by these girls due to pregnancy at an early age, which is more common among Black women, with implications for morbimortality for them and their children and the presumed violence in these cases, including denied access to legal abortion.

Metaanálisis de generalización de la fiabilidad de los mitos de violación / Meta-analysis of reliability generalization of the rape myths

Resumen Los mitos de violación son actitudes y creencias generalmente falsas, amplias y persistentes, acerca de la violación, la víctima y el agresor, que son utilizadas para negar o justificar la agresión sexual hacia las mujeres. En las últimas dos décadas, los instrumentos más utilizados para medir este constructo corresponden a la escala de aceptación de mitos de violación de Illinois (IRMAS), que utiliza expresiones directas y explícitas mediante un lenguaje clásico, y la escala de aceptación de mitos modernos de agresión sexual (AMMSA) que usa un lenguaje sutil, indirecto y moderno. Se realizó un metaanálisis de generalización de la fiabilidad de 69 estudios empíricos que utilizaron alguna de las dos escalas de mitos de violación. El objetivo fue estimar la fiabilidad media de las puntuaciones combinadas de las escalas IRMAS y AMMSA para obtener un valor aproximado de su fiabilidad general y evaluar el posible efecto moderador de algunas variables de interés. El promedio de la fiabilidad por consistencia interna de las puntuaciones de las escalas para las 98 muestras estudiadas fue de .85, IC95 % [.84, .86]. Se observó una alta heterogeneidad (I. = 96 %), y el número de ítems es la única variable moderadora que explica significativamente la variabilidad de la fiabilidad observada. Estos resultados muestran que ambas escalas presentan índices de consistencia interna aceptables en sus diversas aplicaciones. Por lo tanto, las medidas de aceptación de mitos de violación cumplen con los criterios de fiabilidad adecuados para ser utilizadas en investigaciones empíricas en distintos contextos.

Abstract Rape myths are widespread and persistent attitudes, beliefs, and stereotypes, usually false, about rape, the victim, and the perpetrator. Their function is to deny and justify sexual assaults against women, affecting the victim's attributions of responsibility and the perpetrator's attributions of guilt in rape cases. These myths exert a bias in the processing of information, directing attention and perception toward stimuli that justify the victim's responsibility for sexual aggression. These beliefs can be grouped into several types of myths: Myths that hold the victim responsible by arguing that women should be careful and not expose themselves to avoid sexual aggression, myths that justify and reduce the responsibility of the aggressor by stating that the man could not contain his sexual desire and those myths that deny or normalize sexual aggression, which propose that rape occurs only in very specific contexts. In the last two decades, the instruments most commonly used to measure these beliefs are The Illinois Rape Myth Acceptance Scale (IRMAS), which uses direct and explicit expressions through classic language, and the Modern Sexual Assault Myth Acceptance Scale (AMMSA), where its expressions are modern, subtle and indirect. Considering the wide use of these instruments, it is justified to provide empirical evidence showing information on the psychometric properties of these scales. One of the procedures for synthesizing empirical results is meta-analyses (MA). This methodology can synthesize studies of specific variables and analyze the psychometric properties of the measurement instruments, providing relevant information on the quality of a given scale. Within this last type of RM are reliability generalizations (RG), those that study the reliability coefficients obtained in different applications of a scale, providing evidence on the properties of the measures used in measuring a construct. A meta-analysis of the RGs of 69 empirical studies that used any of the rape myth scales was performed. The objective was to estimate the mean reliability of the combined scores of the IRMAS and AMMSA scales to obtain an approximate value of their overall reliability and to assess the possible moderating effect of some variables of interest (e.g., research design, culture, sample type, etc.). The mean internal consistency reliability of the scale scores for the 98 samples studied was .85, 95 % C.I. [.84, .86] and the mean coefficient for each of the IRMAS and AMMSA scales was .84 and .85 respectively. All these values are above .80, a value established as satisfactory reliability of the instrument for general research. The Cronbach's alpha coefficients reported by the studies ranged from .71 to .98, with values considered moderate to excellent. These results show that both scales present acceptable internal consistency indices in various applications. There is high heterogeneity (I. = 96 %), with the number of items being the only moderating variable significantly explaining the observed reliability variability. This result was to be expected, given that the effect of test length on the estimation of reliability indices has a long tradition and is widely known in the psychometric literature.

Violencia sexual en el departamento del Huila (Colombia): un problema de salud pública, 2016-2020 / Sexual violence in the department of Huila (Colombia): a public health problem, 2016-2020

RESUMEN Objetivo: Describir el comportamiento de la violencia sexual en el departamento del Huila (Colombia) durante el quinquenio 2016-2020. Materiales y métodos: Investigación cuantitativa, tipo descriptivo de corte transversal; universo de 4988 casos de violencia sexual, cuya fuente fue el Sistema de Vigilancia Epidemiológica (SIVIGILA). Resultados: La violencia sexual presentó una tendencia creciente entre 2016 y 2019, pero un decremento de cuatro puntos porcentuales para 2020. Los municipios con mayor número de casos de violencia sexual fueron Neiva, Pitalito, La Plata y Garzón. En el análisis sociodemográfico de la víctima, la mayoría se hallaban en los ciclos de vida de adolescencia, infancia y primera infancia. Las mujeres presentaron la más alta frecuencia, con una razón de 7,3 mujeres víctimas de violencia sexual por cada hombre. En cuanto a la modalidad, el abuso sexual fue la más relevante, seguido de violación, acoso sexual y actos sexuales. Respecto al perfil del agresor, el género masculino fue el que presentó más alta frecuencia, con una razón de 26,2 agresores de género masculino por 1 del femenino. Conclusiones: La violencia sexual en el Huila evidenció una gran vulnerabilidad en adolescentes, infancia y primera infancia y principalmente en mujeres. Urge abordar aspectos como las desigualdades sociales, económicas, las violencias de género, los comportamientos abusivos, las crisis sociales en las políticas públicas locales.

ABSTRACT Objective: Describe the behavior of sexual violence in the department of Huila (Colombia) during the five-year period 2016 to 2020. Materials and methods: Quantitative research, descriptive cross-sectional type, universe of 4,988 cases of sexual violence, whose source was the Epidemiological Surveillance System (SIVIGILA). Results: Sexual violence presented an increasing trend between 2016 and 2019, but a decrease of four percentage points for the year 2020. The municipalities with the highest number of cases of sexual violence were Neiva, Pitalito, La Plata, and Garzón. In the sociodemographic analysis of the victim, the majority were in the life cycles of adolescence, infancy, and early childhood. Women presented the highest frequency; with a ratio of 7.3 women victims of sexual violence for each man. Regarding the modality, sexual abuse was the most relevant, followed by rape, sexual harassment, and sexual acts. Regarding the profile of the aggressor, it was the male gender that presented the highest frequency, with a ratio of 26.2 male aggressors to one female. Conclusions: Sexual violence in Huila showed a great vulnerability in adolescents, childhood, and early childhood and mainly in women. It is urgent to address aspects such as social and economic inequalities, gender violence, abusive behavior, social crises in local public policies.

Convergent Adaptation of Multiple Herbicide Resistance to Auxin Mimics and ALS- and EPSPS-Inhibitors in Brassica rapa from North and South America.

Herbicide-resistant weeds have been identified and recorded on every continent where croplands are available. Despite the diversity of weed communities, it is of interest how selection has led to the same consequences in distant regions. Brassica rapa is a widespread naturalized weed that is found throughout temperate North and South America, and it is a frequent weed among winter cereal crops in Argentina and in Mexico. Broadleaf weed control is based on glyphosate that is used prior to sowing and sulfonylureas or mimic auxin herbicides that are used once the weeds have already emerged. This study was aimed at determining whether a convergent phenotypic adaptation to multiple herbicides had occurred in B. rapa populations from Mexico and Argentina by comparing the herbicide sensitivity to inhibitors of the acetolactate synthase (ALS), 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate (EPSPS), and auxin mimics. Five B. rapa populations were analyzed from seeds collected in wheat fields in Argentina (Ar1 and Ar2) and barley fields in Mexico (Mx1, Mx2 and MxS). Mx1, Mx2, and Ar1 populations presented multiple resistance to ALS- and EPSPS-inhibitors and to auxin mimics (2,4-D, MCPA, and fluroxypyr), while the Ar2 population showed resistance only to ALS-inhibitors and glyphosate. Resistance factors ranged from 947 to 4069 for tribenuron-methyl, from 1.5 to 9.4 for 2,4-D, and from 2.7 to 42 for glyphosate. These were consistent with ALS activity, ethylene production, and shikimate accumulation analyses in response to tribenuron-methyl, 2,4-D, and glyphosate, respectively. These results fully support the evolution of the multiple- and cross-herbicide resistance to glyphosate, ALS-inhibitors, and auxinic herbicides in B. rapa populations from Mexico and Argentina.

Experiência de relação sexual forçada entre estudantes de graduação: fatores associados e possíveis consequências / The experience of forced sexual intercourse among undergraduate students: associated factors and possible consequences

Resumo O objetivo deste artigo é investigar a prevalência de relação sexual forçada na vida e suas possíveis consequências na saúde mental e sexual em acadêmicos de cursos de graduação de uma universidade pública no Brasil. Estudo transversal quantitativo com 996 estudantes de graduação. A amostragem realizada de forma sistemática por conglomerados. Foi usado o modelo de Regressão de Poisson, e foram calculadas as frações etiológicas das consequências de relação sexual forçada. A prevalência de relação sexual forçada ao longo da vida foi de 12,1%. Sexo feminino, orientação sexual não heterossexual, primeira relação sexual antes de 14 anos de idade, insegurança alimentar e violência no contexto doméstico na infância foram associados à maior prevalência do desfecho. Indivíduos que sofreram relação sexual forçada foram mais propensos a apresentar diagnóstico de infecções sexualmente transmissíveis e de ter risco de suicídio. O estudo evidenciou a problemática da violência sexual no contexto universitário.

Abstract The scope of this article is to investigate the prevalence of the experience of forced sexual intercourse on life and its possible consequences on mental and sexual health among undergraduate students at a public university in Brazil. It is a quantitative cross-sectional study with 996 undergraduate students. Sampling was carried out systematically by single-stage clusters. Descriptive, bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed using the Poisson Regression model, and the etiological fractions of the consequences of forced sexual intercourse were calculated. The lifetime prevalence of forced sexual intercourse was 12.1%. Female sex, non-heterosexual sexual orientation, first sexual intercourse before the age of 14, child food insecurity and domestic violence were associated with a higher prevalence of the outcome. Individuals who experienced forced sexual intercourse were more likely to be diagnosed with sexually transmitted infections and to represent a potential suicide risk. The study revealed the problems of sexual violence in the university context.

Girls victims of sexual aggression in Baixada Fluminense

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to describe the current situation of sexual aggression and assess the adhesion to ambulatory care follow-up. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study involving female children and adolescents aged 0-19 years, treated at the Center for Multiprofessional Care of Sexual Violence of the General Hospital of Nova Iguaçu, from 2014 to 2018. RESULTS: Of the 453 children and adolescents, 264 (58.3%) were <14 years of age and 189 (41.7%) were 14-19 years of age. In both groups, 78% were black. School delay of >2 years was found in 15.6% of children in the age group <14 years and 40.5% of adolescents in the age group 14-19 years [p<0.001; OR=3.7 (2.1-65)]. In girls aged £13 years, abuse usually occurred at home (73.2%), which was perpetrated by one aggressor (91%) and known to the victim (91.2%). In adolescents aged ≥14 years, 84.1% of rapes occurred outside the home, practiced by one aggressor (74.8%), 57.8% were unknown, and in 91.2% of cases, there was use of physical force and/or verbal threats. The victims aged <14 years have 14 times more chance of experiencing aggression within the family setting [p<0.001; OR=14.3 (8.2-25.6)] and 16 times more chance of experiencing aggression from known persons [p<0.001; OR=16.2 (9.2-29.8)]. On the contrary, adolescents aged ≥14 years have three times more chance of being abused by more than one aggressor [p<0.001; OR=3.3 (1.8-6.1)]. CONCLUSION: Black girls, especially those aged <14 years, are in a situation of greater vulnerability for sexual violence, have less adhesion to follow-up, and often experience aggression in the household setting.

Modern Rape Myths: Justifying Victim and Perpetrator Blame in Sexual Violence.

Rape myths are beliefs, stereotypes, and attitudes usually false, widespread, and persistent about rape, victims, and perpetrators. They aim to deny and justify men's sexual assault against women. This study evaluates the mediating effect of modern rape myths on the relationship between gender system justification and attribution of blame to both victim and perpetrator in a fictional case of sexual violence. A total of 375 individuals residing in Chile, 255 women and 120 men, 19-81 years (M = 37.6 SD = 13.06) participated in the study. Results from a Structural Equation Model show that gender system justification is directly related to the attribution of blame to the victim, showing an indirect relationship throughout the modern rape myth. However, gender system justification and attribution of blame to the aggressor are indirectly related, being mediated by modern rape myths. The study of the relationship between the acceptance of modern rape myths, gender-specific system justification, and victim and aggressor blame for rape is a contribution to understanding beliefs justifying sexual violence against women.

Post-Rape Experiences of Undocumented Mexican Women in the U.S.-Mexico Border Region: A Critical Ethnography.

Introduction: Numerous undocumented immigrant women in the United States have survived rape, and many have experienced physical and psychological consequences. Although rape disclosure can facilitate early intervention and improve health outcomes, most undocumented immigrant women do not disclose rape, and little is known about their post-rape experiences. Methods: This critical ethnography explored the post-rape experiences of undocumented immigrant women of Mexican (UIWM) origin living in the U.S. Mexico border region. Data collection and analysis were guided by Carspecken's framework for critical qualitative research. Six women, who identified as UIWM participated in the study. Each was interviewed using a semistructured approach. Results: Interview data revealed three domains: Glimpses of Support, Barrier After Barrier, and Overcoming. In accordance with Carspecken's framework, a theoretical lens was applied to these domains. The application of Feminist Intersectional Theory and Standpoint Theory united the domains into the theme Struggling to Heal. Conclusion: This study suggests that the marginalization of these survivors detrimentally impacts their post-rape experiences and describes the intersections of multiple forces on their experiences, including the cultural and sociopolitical context of the border region. This study lays the foundation for future research aimed at mitigating disclosure and help-seeking barriers for this marginalized group.

Rape Culture, Revictimization, and Social Representations: Images and Discourses on Sexual and Violent Crimes in the Digital Sphere in Mexico.

The digital sphere has become a space in which misogyny-laden discourses are constantly presented. In fact, in Mexico persists a rape culture that justifies violent acts against women and blames the victims of the crimes through social opinions. The present study proposed an approach based on the Theory of Social Representations. In this sense, this study aimed to analyze the discourses that emerge in the digital sphere when users give their opinion on five types of crimes against women: femicide, rape, enforced disappearance, abuse, and sexual harassment. The results revealed that there are four types of discourse (representations) framed within rape culture: disbelief of rape, blaming the victim, revictimization, and disempowering women. It is concluded that Mexican society maintains a representation that stereotypes and devalues the image of women, which allows us to understand the aggressions that women suffer in their daily lives.

Development and Validation of the Secondary Victimization Scale.

Sexual violence is ubiquitous in the history of human relationships, with the victim being perceived as responsible for their own misfortune. This phenomenon is labelled secondary victimization and is manifested in blaming, minimizing the suffering, and avoiding the victim. This article presents evidence of the validity of a scale that measures individual differences in these three types of secondary victimization of rape victims. In Study 1, we developed the scale items and analyzed their content validity. In Study 2, we carried out an exploratory analysis of its factorial structure and verified the set-up of the items in three theoretically predicted factors (blaming, minimizing the suffering, and avoiding the victim), which had convergent validity with the Rape Myth Acceptance Scale, and discriminant validity with the Big Five Personality Traits, in addition to having concurrent validity with the Belief in a Just World Scale (BJWS). In Study 3, we confirmed this tri-factor structure using confirmatory analysis. In Study 4, we analyzed the predictive validity of the Secondary Victimization Scale (SVS), proposing the hypothesis that secondary victimization mediates the effect of BJWS on the participants' behavior towards a rape victim. The summary of the results shows consistent evidence of the SVS's validity.

Adolescent Female Victims of Sexual Violence: Analysis of Loss of Follow-up after Emergency Care and Outpatient Follow-up / Meninas adolescentes vítimas de violência sexual: Análise da falta de atendimento de emergência e seguimento ambulatorial

Abstract Objective To assess the loss to follow-up after emergency care and during 6-months of outpatient follow-up, and the associated variables, among adolescent sexual violence survivors. Methods This is a retrospective study with review of the medical records of 521 females, aged 10 to 18 years, who received emergency care in a referral service in São Paulo, Brazil. The variables were sociodemographic; personal history; characteristics of abuse, disclosure, and reactions triggered after abuse (physical and mental disorders as well as social changes), psychotropic prescription needs, and moment of abandonment: after emergency care and before completing 6 months of outpatient follow-up. To compare groups of patients lost to follow-up at each time point, we used the Chi-square and Fisher exact tests followed by multiple logistic regression with stepwise criterion for selection of associated variables. We calculated the odds ratio with confidence interval (OR, CI 95%). The level of significance adopted was 5%. Results A total of 249/521 (47.7%) adolescents discontinued follow-up, 184 (35.3%) after emergency care and 65 (12.4%) before completing outpatient follow-up. The variables of living with a partner (OR = 5.94 [CI 95%; 2.49-14.20]); not having a religion (OR = 2.38 [CI 95%;1.29-4.38)]), having a Catholic religion [OR = 2.11 (CI 95%; 1.17-3.78)]; and not disclosing the abuse [OR = 2.07 (CI 95%; 1.25-3.44)] were associated with loss to follow-up after emergency care. Not needing mental disorder care (OR = 2.72 [CI 95%; 1.36-5.46]) or social support (OR = 2.33 [CI 95%; 1.09-4.99]) were directly associated with loss to outpatient follow-up. Conclusion Measures to improve adherence to follow-up should be aimed at adolescents who live with a partner and those who do not tell anyone about the violence.

Resumo Objetivos Avaliar a perda de seguimento de adolescentes vítimas de violência sexual após o atendimento de emergência, durante o seguimento ambulatorial e as variáveis associadas. Métodos Estudo retrospectivo com a revisão de prontuários de 521 mulheres de 10 a 18 anos, que buscaram atendimento de emergência em um serviço de referência em São Paulo, Brasil. As variáveis foram sociodemográficas; antecedentes pessoais; características do abuso, atitude de revelação e reações desencadeadas após o abuso (distúrbios físicos, mentais e mudanças sociais), necessidades de prescrição de psicotrópicos e momento do abandono: após atendimento de emergência e antes de completar 6 meses de seguimento ambulatorial. Para comparar os grupos de perda de seguimento em cada momento, foram utilizados os testes do qui-quadrado e exato de Fisher, seguidos de regressão logística múltipla com critério stepwise para seleção das variáveis associadas. Calculamos a razão de probabilidade com intervalo de confiança (RP, IC 95%). O nível de significância adotado foi de 5%. Resultados Um total de 249 (47,7%) das adolescentes descontinuaram o acompanhamento, 184 (35.3%) após o atendimento de emergência e 65 (12.4%) antes de completar o seguimento ambulatorial. As variáveis de viver com companheiro [RP = 5,94 (IC 95%; 2,49-14,20]; não ter religião [RP = 2,38 (IC 95%;1,29-4,38)], ter religião católica [RP = 2,11 (IC 95%; 1,17-3,78)] e não revelar o abuso [RP = 2,07 (IC 95%; 1,25-3,44)] foram associadas à perda de seguimento após o atendimento de emergência. Não necessitar de cuidados de saúde mental (RP = 2,72 [IC 95%; 1,36-5,46]) ou apoio social (RP = 2,33 [IC 95%; 1,09-4,99]) foram as variáveis associadas à perda do seguimento ambulatorial. Conclusão Medidas para melhorar a adesão ao seguimento devem ser direcionadas às adolescentes que vivem com parceiro e às que não revelam a violência sofrida.

Estupro na primeira macrorregião do estado de Alagoas: resultados da pesquisa DVEAL, 2016-2018 / Rape in the first macro-region of the state of Alagoas: results from DVEAL survey, 2016-2018

Objetivos: apresentar resultados do eixo 2 do projeto Diagnóstico da Violência Fatal e Não Fatal no Estado de Alagoas (DVEAL). Neste artigo é comparado o padrão epidemiológico do estupro de crianças e adolescentes em relação aos adultos. Métodos: delineou-se uma investigação observacional e retrospectiva incluindo 380 registros de violência sexual no Instituto Médico Legal, entre 2016 e 2018. Por meio de regressão logística binária e múltipla calculou-se a chance de violência por faixa etária, associando os possíveis fatores relacionados. Resultados: metade das vítimas estupradas possuíam até 13 anos de idade, com média de 14 anos, e 9 em cada 10 casos eram de mulheres/meninas vitimadas. O padrão do estupro identificado foi de vítimas: em situação conjugal solteira; estudantes, abusadas por conhecidos; que realizaram exame pericial entre 1-7 dias; abusadas durante a madrugada; e em região genital. Cerca de 8 em cada 10 casos foram estupros confirmados pela perícia, o restante foi via relato oral. O modelo final identificou dois fatores mais associados à violência sexual em crianças/adolescentes. Conclusão: o padrão de vitimização sexual no estado impacta significativamente crianças e adolescentes e, principalmente, o gênero feminino

Aims: to present the results of axis 2 of the Diagnosis of Fatal and Non-Fatal Violence in the State of Alagoas (DVEAL) project. This article compares the epidemiological pattern of rape involving children/adolescents in relation to adults. Methods: an observational and retrospective investigation was designed, including 380 records of sexual violence at the Instituto Médico Legal, between 2016 and 2018. Through binary and multiple logistic regression, the chance of violence by age group was calculated, associating the possible related factors. Results: half of the raped victims were up to 13 years old, with an average of 14 years old, and 9 out of 10 cases were victimized women/girls. The pattern of rape identified was of victims: single marital status; students, abused by acquaintances; who underwent an expert examination between 1-7 days; abused during the dawn; and in the genital region. About 8 out of 10 cases were rapes confirmed by forensics, the rest were via oral report. The final model identified two factors most associated with sexual violence in children/adolescents. Conclusions: the pattern of sexual victimization in the state significantly impacts children and adolescents, especially the female gender

Primary health care, access to legal abortion and the notion of ideal victim among medical practitioners: The case of Chile.

In 2017, Chile enacted new legislation allowing access to legal abortion on three grounds, including rape. This article summarizes a qualitative, exploratory study that examined the role of primary healthcare services in the treatment of rape survivors in order to identify challenges and strengths in accessing legal abortion. The relevant data was collected through 19 semi-structured interviews conducted with key informants. The angry legislative debate that preceded enactment of the 2017 abortion bill evidenced the presence of strong biases against survivors of sexual violence. At the time, abortion opponents sought, inter alia, to discredit women who report rape, arguing that such claims would be misused to secure illicit abortions. In actual fact, however, rape has turned out to be the least used of all grounds for abortion, with girls and teens making up the smallest group of seekers. This article presents our findings on rape-related issues, notably the biases and shortcomings of medical practitioners regarding the new abortion law. We noted with concern their failure to screen for sexual violence and propensity to stigmatize the victims, a phenomenon that becomes exacerbated when it involves particularly vulnerable populations, such as girls and women who are poor, homeless, migrant, or who abuse alcohol or drugs. We further noted that prevalent stereotypes based on the notion of the ideal victim can revictimize girls and women and work to defeat the intent of the law. In Chile, the primary healthcare system is a key point of entry for abortion. In this highly charged arena, however, lack of political will, compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic, have kept health care practitioners from undergoing timely, gender-sensitive training on the new law, a key requirement for ensuring dignified care and respect for women's rights. We conclude that if government policy is to prevent multiple, intersectional discrimination, it must recognize the diversity of women and adapt to their specific contexts and singularities.

Violência sexual e saúde mental de universitários: uma sistematização da literatura brasileira / Sexual violence and mental health of college students: a systematic review of Brazilian literature / Violencia sexual y salud mental de universitarios: una sistematización de la literatura brasileña

A presença da violência sexual nas universidades tem afetado diferentes esferas da vida de estudantes, inclusive a saúde mental. O artigo teve como objetivo investigar e categorizar os efeitos da violência sexual sobre a saúde mental de alunos/as, bem como identificar possíveis estratégias para lidar com o problema. Foi realizada uma sistematização da literatura brasileira dos últimos dez anos. Identificou-se que grande parte dos textos define a violência como um fenômeno sociocultural, e alguns explicam a violência a partir de definições jurídicas. Além disso, constatou-se que a violência sexual produz efeitos prejudiciais de ordem psicológica, física, acadêmica e inter-pessoal. Sobre as ações de enfrentamento, foi verificado que a maioria das intervenções mencionadas é remediativa. Por já estar instaladas e apresentar efeitos prejudiciais aos estudantes, as estratégias remediativas são necessárias para lidar com os problemas gerados na saúde mental das vítimas. No entanto, como a violência sexual foi considerada majoritariamente um fenômeno de natureza sociocultural, intervenções preventivas também são requeridas para que os determinantes responsáveis pela violência sexual sejam modificados. (AU)

The presence of sexual violence in universities has affected different spheres of students' lives, including their mental health. This paper aims to investigate and categorize the effects of sexual violence on the mental health of students and identify possible strategies for dealing with this problem. A systematic review of Brazilian literature from the past ten years was carried out. It was found that a large part of the texts defines violence as a sociocultural phenomenon, and some explain violence from legal definitions. In addition, it was found that sexual violence produces detrimental effects of a psychological, physical, academic, and interpersonal nature. As for the coping actions, it was found that most of the interventions mentioned are remedial. Because this type of violence is already installed and presents detrimental effects to students, reme-dial strategies are necessary to deal with the problems generated in the mental health of victims. However, as sexual violence was considered predominantly a sociocultural phenomenon, preventive interventions are also required so that the determinants responsible for sexual violence can be modified. (AU)

La presencia de la violencia sexual en las universidades ha afectado a diferentes ámbitos de la vida estudiantil, incluida la salud mental. El artículo tuvo como objetivo investigar y categorizar los efectos de la violencia sexual sobre la salud mental de los/las alumnos/as, así como identificar posibles estrategias para hacer frente al problema. Se realizó una sistematización de la literatura brasi-leña de los últimos diez años. Se identificó que la mayoría de los textos definen la violencia como un fenómeno sociocultural y algunos explican la violencia a partir de definiciones legales. Además, se ha constatado que la violencia sexual produce efectos perjudiciales de orden psicológico, físico, académico e interpersonal. Sobre las acciones de enfrentamiento, la mayoría son interven-ciones de remediación. Debido a los efectos nocivos de la violencia sexual en los estudiantes, son necesarias estrategias de remediación para hacer frente a los diversos problemas que se generan en la salud mental de las víctimas. Sin embargo, como la violencia sexual fue considerada mayoritariamente un fenómeno de carácter sociocultural, también se requieren intervenciones preventivas para que se modifiquen los determinantes responsables de la violencia sexual. (AU)

Sexual violence in a Colombian municipality: Victims' and offenders' characteristics, 2011-2020 / Violencia sexual en un municipio de Colombia: características de las víctimas y de sus victimarios, 2011-2020.

Introduction: Sexual violence is a public health problem included in political and social agendas worldwide. It is a medical emergency seen in health services, which are the main source of record-keeping by means of public health surveillance systems. Objective: To analyze the sociodemographic characteristics of victims of sex offenses and their offenders in the municipality of Envigado, Antioquia, between 2011 and 2020. Materials and methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study that analyzed all the sexual violence records reported in the Envigado Public Health Surveillance System for gender and intrafamilial violence (file code INS-875) during the 2011-2020 period. Results: A total of 807 cases of sexual violence were recorded between 2011 and 2020; 62.0% were cases of sexual abuse against persons under 18 years of age, and 82.3% of the victims were adolescent women suffering sexual violence exerted by relatives. The main aggressors were men (99.1%) with a median age of 26 years. Conclusion: Sexual violence has increased over time and in 2020, the year of population confinement due to COVID-19, the rates in women and in the life courses of early childhood, adolescence, and youth were the highest during the study period.

Introducción. La violencia sexual es un problema de salud pública inscrito en las agendas sociales y políticas a nivel global. Representa una urgencia médica que se atiende en los servicios de salud, lo que los convierte en la principal fuente de su registro en los sistemas de vigilancia en salud pública. Objetivo. Analizar las características sociodemográficas de las víctimas de violencia sexual y de sus victimarios en el municipio de Envigado, Antioquia, entre el 2011 y el 2020. Materiales y métodos. Se hizo un estudio transversal descriptivo a partir de todos los registros de violencia sexual notificados en el Sistema de Vigilancia en Salud Pública de la violencia de género e intrafamiliar de Envigado (código de ficha INS-875), durante el periodo 2011-2020. Resultados. Se registraron 807 casos de violencia sexual entre 2011 y 2020; el 62,0 % correspondió a casos de abuso sexual a personas menores de 18 años; el 82,3 % de las víctimas estaba constituido por mujeres adolescentes agredidas por familiares; los principales agresores fueron hombres (99,1 %), con una mediana de edad 26 años. Conclusión. La violencia sexual es un problema en aumento; en el 2020, año del confinamiento poblacional por la Covid-19, las tasas en mujeres y durante la primera infancia, la adolescencia y la juventud, fueron las más altas del periodo de estudio.