This study aimed to identify the measures adopted by the social and emotional support network of children and adolescents after disclosure of sexual abuse. Forty victims of sexual abuse, eight to sixteen years old girls, responded to an interview that mapped the measures adopted by the network. Disclosure to the parents took place in 42.5% of the cases, and 92.5% of the parents believed it to be true. 35% of the girls went to a shelter home and the rest remained with the family after exclusion of the aggressor. The trustworthiness of the family in disclosure and reporting of violence was a protective factor. However, the high shelter rate and absence of effective monitoring of the aggressor removal were risk factors.
sexual abuse; network support; children; adolescents
