The objectives of the study were to characterize children under violence situation, and their family members; and to analyze the social role of relatives as an aggressor and protectors in the circle of violence. A quantitative descriptive study was developed in the outpatient setting at Rio de Janeiro during 2006-2007. Data from 44 children charts showed that there was a strong relation among poverty, low background and gender to the social matrix of the violence. Boys were the main victims (64%) of violence. Physical aggression (33%) was more reported. Paradoxically, mothers were the main relatives who caused the aggression (39.1%), and assumed the social role as children protector (57.1%). It concluded that children, aggressor/protector need to be assisted, followed-up and supported by healthcare facility. Consequently, the double social role aggressor/protector implies family center care approach in order to break the circle of violence.
Child; Nursing; Violence
