This article aims to address the issue of ensuring access to psychotherapeutic treatment to children and adolescents victims of sexual violence in the public health system in view of the association between exposure to sexual violence and the development of short and long term psychopathologies. The main laws and guidelines in the organization of the Brazilian public services of social assistance and health care for victims of sexual violence were reviewed, as well as studies on referrals conducted in these cases. It was found that the social assistance public service should offer psychosocial treatment, while the health care public service should offer psychotherapy. However, studies addressing cases of sexual violence against children and adolescents indicate low rates of referrals to services that offer psychotherapy. This scenario is discussed based on the guidelines regarding the population assisted in the mental health public service, as well as on the figures of these services in Brazil. Alternatives to ensure access to psychotherapeutic treatment of children and adolescents victims of sexual violence by the public health system are discussed.
Sexual violence; Children; Adolescent; Psychotherapy