PSYCHOLOGISTS IN THE SPECIALIZED CARE SERVICES FOR WOMEN VICTIMS OF VIOLENCE

Abstract

This study sought to map the presence and performance of psychologists in specialized care services for women victims of violence. This was a descriptive exploratory qualitative study. Data were collected via an online questionnaire completed by 30 psychologists attending in the specialized service network for women victims of violence in the State of Bahia and by means of participant observation transcribed in the researcher’s field notebook. The work conditions comprised the high turnover of professionals in services, weak employment contracts and lack of structure suitable for the work affect the chances of referring the victims to other services, denoting the difficulties indicated by the professional in continuing the care, often due to the lack of proper qualification to deal with this context. The main challenges found in this practice encompass the difficulty of professionals to understand the policy. Other obstacles to the well-functioning of the network point to the lack of feedback referral, the interruption of follow-up in other services, the poor quality of equipment and the subsequent victimization of women. These professionals need to get closer to the Women’s Movement and reflect on their ethical-political commitment in deconstructing inequalities and guaranteeing rights to users of their services.