Violence against women

The unique health system and medical conduct

Abstract

Violence against women is any form of discrimination, aggression or coercion, caused by the simple fact that the victim is a woman and causes physical, psychological, sexual, or moral damage, whether in the public or private sphere. It is a manifestation of historically unequal power relations between genders, which were gradually built and which continue today, showing the importance of knowledge of the actions of the Unified Health System (SUS) that coordinate and guide the conduct of health professionals, especially from the doctor. The present study aims to investigate medical conduct in the care of women victims of violence, SUS actions, and programs, specifically carried out at the Santa Casa de Misericórdia do Pará Foundation. This is a quantitative study and the instrument used was a questionnaire, prepared by the authors. Thirty-three physicians answered the questionnaire, where 97% have already assisted women in situations of violence, 97% know the protocols for the care of women victims of violence, and 67% judge public health actions to support these victims as ineffective. The data allow us to conclude that SUS actions have the potential to have a direct impact in the context of violence against women, if the necessary support is provided to make complaints, in addition to long-term protection and prevention protocols.