Care for young victims of assault in public emergency services in 2011: Sex differences

This article aims to describe the characteristics of assaults among youth victims of violence treated in Public Emergency Departments, according to sex. This is a descriptive study using data from the Brazilian Violence and Accidents Surveillance System based on a multicenter survey conducted by the Ministry of Health in 71 public emergency departments, located in 24 state capitals and the Federal District in 2011. Male subjects predominated among the victims (75.1%) and also among aggressors (83.1% and 69.7% of cases of violence against male and female victims, respectively). Among female victims, episodes of violence were more frequent at home (43.6%). The perpetrator was a stranger in 49.7% and 26.8% of cases among male and female victims, respectively, while the perpetrator was a partner or ex-partner in 3.9% and 31.5% cases, respectively (p < 0.001). Greater severity of injuries among men was consistent with the higher proportion of deaths in the first 24 hours (2.1%) compared to women (0.2%) (p < 0.001). The violence profile among youth victims treated in Public Emergency Departments was substantially different according to the sex of the victims. The results highlight the need to implement intersectoral policies, in line with the Brazilian Youth Statute.