This study presents general characteristcs of families in which there was the occurrence of violence against the child as well as to evaluate the results of a supporting program made by the Centro Regional de Atenção aos Maus-Tratos na Infância (CRAMI) for these families. Fifty-five families were interviewed, and a structured questionnaire was used. Among the families, the most prevalent type of violence was physical (58%). Sixty percent of the victims were females, and the mother was the main batterer (49%). Some factors to start committing the violence included: conflicts between the couple (58%); the child's own characteristics (51%) and the parent's life history (49%). The majority of families (80%) believes that this supporting program has provided them decreasing the intensity even interruption of the violence. At-home visits was the most useful way for the parent's compliance to the program. This supporting programs can provide these families better results as long as violence is understood in its different aspects; that is, a present symptom in the family group shaped by several difficulties such as cultural, social, economic, and of relationship among the members.
Children and adolescents; Domestic violence; Violent families; Supporting programs
