Sexual violence against children and teens: a study about the aggressor’s profile

Abstract

Sexual violence against children is a universal phenomenon and most studies on the subject are focused on the study of victims, just few are focused on the aggressors. Statistics data point to a high recurrence of sexual crimes by criminals who have served a court sentence, showing a deficiency in attention to the aggressors. According to the Brazilian Penal Code, child sexual violence is a crime provided by law and regulated by the Statute of Children and Adolescents, 1990. This research project aims to investigate the socioeconomic profile of aggressors who committed sexual violence against children and adolescents, by analyzing police inquiries initiated by the judiciary. The nature of the topic prompted us to use qualitative methodology that enables a wider understanding of the phenomenon studied and the analysis will be based on the technique of content and thematic analysis. The interpretations and discussions will be based on the theoretical framework of psychology and legislation on the subject as well as the determinations of the Statute of Children and Adolescents in the protection of this age group. So, inferences, interpretations and hypotheses will be made regarding the topic investigated in order to obtain data to understand the phenomenon.