THE PROCESS OF RESILIENCE IN WOMEN WHO WERE VICTIMS OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE: A POSSIBILITY FOR CARE

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the process of resilience in women who were victims of sexual violence. Method: Exploratory, qualitative research, grounded in the concept of resilience, undertaken with 12 women who were victims of sexual violence, who were attended in the Specialized Care Service and in a Women’s Police Office, in a municipality in the Brazilian state of Paraná, between September 2013 and February 2014. The content of the semistructured interviews was subjected to thematic content analysis. Results: The feeling of care and responsibility promoted internal mobilization - the beginning of the process of resilience. The presence of people inclined to listen without judging made it possible to represent the trauma experienced by the participants. Re-linking with God and reactivation of faith provided encouragement for believing that surviving was more relevant than being a victim. Final considerations: The study allowed the construction of knowledge related to the resilience of women who were victims of sexual violence, and showed the importance of incorporating this topic into nursing care.

Keywords

• Sex offenses
• Resilience; Psychological
• Nursing care
• Violence Against Women
• Nursing