Cicatrizes invisíveis: repercussões do abuso sexual infantil intrafamiliar nos relacionamentos amorosos de mulheres sobreviventes

Abstract

Intrafamilial child and teen sexual abuse is a multifaceted issue that violates moral and legal norms. It constitutes a traumatic experience that compromises emotional development and leads to lasting consequences throughout life. The aim of this study is to analyze how intrafamilial sexual abuse during childhood and teenage can impact the affective relationships of adult women who have experienced aforesaid violence. The research is characterized as bibliographic, with a qualitative approach, and the data obtained were analyzed using Bardin's (2016) content analysis. Based on the analysis, three main categories were identified: "Gender, Violence, and Family Dynamics", "Experiences of Intrafamilial Childhood Sexual Abuse", and "Repercussions of Childhood Sexual Abuse on the Romantic Relationships of Victimized Women." The results indicated that sexual abuse within the family breaks the perception of family as a safe environment, harms family relationships, and leads to emotional distress. The implications of abuse affect many life aspects, such as functionality, emotionality, cognition, and behavior. Moreover, the studies pointed out that the primary consequences for women who were victims of intrafamilial sexual abuse lie within the realm of sexuality, leading to aversion to sex or hypersexualized behavior, difficulties in achieving orgasm, all of which directly impact their romantic relationships.