OBJECTIVE:
to describe reports of violence against women made at a Women's Reference Center in Cajazeiras, Paraíba, Brazil.
METHODS:
this was a descriptive study using data from forms containing details of female violence victims between July 2010 and October 2012.
RESULTS:
80 complaints were found. Most victims were aged up to 40 (n=52), with low schooling, married (n=47) with children (n=69) and had lived with their spouses for 9-18 years (n=23). Spouses were the main aggressors (n=33) and perpetrated violence in their own homes (n=50). Psychological violence was most common (n=64). Victims were referred to the Specialized Reference Center for Social Assistance, the Women's Police Station and the Child Protection Council.
CONCLUSION:
most of the complaints were made by married women with children and who had lived for a significant length of time with the abuser.
Violence Against Women; Aggression; Epidemiology, Descriptive
