Domestic violence and children

Abstract

The objective of this study was to analyze violence against children in the district of Alfenas - Minas Gerais, specifying the type of violence, aggressors and actions by the Guardian Council. It is descriptive research, and the data was analyzed through the inferencial method. The sample consisted of 68 cases of violence registered in the Guardian Council, between January 1999 and December 2001. Negligence appeared in 54.41% of the cases related to education, feeding, hygiene and clothing, medication and neglect. The cases of physical abuse (29.41%) showed the mother and father as the most frequent aggressor, followed by teachers, other relatives and stepfather. The cases had been denounced by father, mother, teachers, neighbors, and also through an anonymous accusation. The results show the need to take measures to protect children, because they demonstrate that violence exists and can compromise the child's physical and mental health, which demands preventive, therapeutic and research measures.