The Women's Comprehensive Healthcare Center (CAISM) has provided care for women who have suffered sexual violence since 1986. Since 1998, a special multidisciplinary team has been in charge of emergency and long-term care for victims of sexual violence. From August 1998 to May 2006, 1,174 women were treated, with an average of 150 per year in the last five years. During the same period, 71/109 women who became pregnant after rape had their pregnancies terminated, 23/109 continued the pregnancy to term, and 15/109 did not undergo abortion due to gestational age greater than 20 weeks. In Brazil, there are not enough public services to treat female victims of sexual violence who require legal abortion. Nationwide implementation of new services should be encouraged, in addition to all measures known to reduce the problem such as sex education in schools and widespread information and easy access to effective contraception.
Sexual Violence; Emergency Medical Services; Legal Abortion