Child and adolescent abuse in the state of São Paulo, Brazil, 2009

To describe the profile of the reports of child and adolescent abuse in the state of São Paulo in 2009, and to analyze possible associated factors.

A total of 4,085 reports regarding children and adolescents younger than 15 years recorded by the Domestic, Sexual, and Other Interpersonal Violence Surveillance System (Sistema de Vigilância de Violência Doméstica, Sexual e Outras Violências Interpessoais - VIVA) were analyzed using a logistic regression model.

The females comprised 61.4% of the total cases. The most common age group among females was 10 to 14 years (38.8%) and among males was < 5 years (35.8%). Physical abuse accounted for 43.3% of cases in males, and sexual abuse cases accounted for 41.7% of cases in females. The main perpetrators of the abuse were parents (43.8% of the total) and acquaintances (29.4%). Male aggressors were 72.0% of the total. The abuse occurred at home in 72.9% of cases; repeated abuse was reported in 51.4% of cases. Differences between the cases of physical and sexual abuse: a) physical abuse - mostly males (50.9%), parents as perpetrators (48.4%), and women as perpetrators (42.8%), b) sexual abuse - mostly females (77.2%), known aggressors (48.4%), and men as perpetrators (96.1%). Variables associated with physical abuse: male gender (OR: 2.22), age 10-14 years (OR: 1.68), and parents as perpetrators (OR: 2.50). Sexual abuse was associated with female gender (OR: 2.84), age 5-9 years (OR: 1.66), and unknown authors (OR: 1.53).

Public policies should guarantee that children and adolescents have a healthy and violence-free life. The analysis of the notifications is an important tool to establish prevention strategies.