Violence against women: caracteristics of head and neck injuries

ABSTRACT Objective: This study aimed to investigate the characteristics of aggression in head and neck regions suffered by women who are victims of gender violence, and to analyze the variation in the number of cases before and after the enactment of the Maria da Penha Law. Methods: A survey was conducted on the records of examinations of personal injury made in the Department of Forensic Medicine in Vitória, in the Brazilian state of Espírito Santo. The study included women victims of bodily injury, referred as a result of domestic, family or conjugal violence, aged between 11 and 80. Results: The number of cases analyzed in this study exhibited an oscillation during the years studied. The results reveal that female victims are, in most cases, young, aged between 20 and 30, single and do not work outside the home. The victim’s husband or partner was the main offender, mostly using parts of the body, like the hands and feet, as the means of aggression. The most frequent craniofacial injuries were ecchymosis and abrasions, more often in orbital, cervical and frontal regions. Conclusions: The characteristics related to violence against women obtained through this study are of great importance and should be highlighted and publicized, to encourage implementation of public policies and practical actions of acceptance and recognition of such violence, including the insertion of the Forensic Dentist on the staff of experts in all Institutes of Forensic Medicine in the country.

摘要
研究目的：本研究旨在探究性别暴力受害女性所遭遇的头颈部攻击行为特征，并分析《玛丽亚·达·佩尼亚法》（Maria da Penha Law）颁布前后的案件数量变化情况。
研究方法：本研究针对巴西圣埃斯皮里图州维多利亚市法医学部门留存的人身伤害检查档案开展调研。研究纳入年龄介于11至80岁之间、因家庭暴力、家庭冲突或夫妻间暴力遭受人身伤害的女性受害者。
研究结果：本研究分析的案件数量在调研周期内呈现波动态势。结果显示，绝大多数女性受害者为20至30岁的青壮年群体，且多为未婚、无外出务工行为的人群。加害者主要为受害者的丈夫或伴侣，多以手部、足部等身体部位作为攻击手段。最常见的颅面部损伤为瘀斑与擦伤，多发于眼眶、颈部及前额区域。
研究结论：本研究揭示的针对女性的暴力侵害相关特征具有重要的社会与公共卫生价值，应予以重视并广泛宣传，以推动相关公共政策的制定，并开展接纳受害者、正视此类暴力的实践行动，其中包括在全国所有法医学研究所的专家队伍中纳入法医牙医（Forensic Dentist）岗位。