Abstract
Objective
to understand the education professionals' perception about violence against children and adolescents in the COVID-19 pandemic context.
Method
a research study with a qualitative approach, anchored in the Complex Paradigm, carried out with seven education professionals between September and October 2020. Data collection took place through semi-structured interviews carried out on a free virtual platform, and the data were thematically analyzed.
Results
Two final themes emerged: “Violence and the pandemic” and “(Non)perception of action possibilities”. Violence against children and adolescents is seen as a multidimensional phenomenon by the participants. Due to the specificities that occur more frequently in families, the life changes imposed by the pandemic, especially distancing from the school, can lead to an increase in the number of cases and to greater difficulty identifying violence against this population. The impacts on children's and adolescents' mental health during this period were reinforced.
Conclusion and implications for the practice
despite the understanding of greater exposure to violence during the pandemic, the professionals were unable to propose coping strategies. New studies on the subject matter with different actors involved are needed, as well as intersectoral articulation to face the phenomenon.
Keywords:
Adolescent; COVID-19; Child; Social Isolation; Violence