Vítimas do silêncio: uma análise da acessibilidade da pessoa surda ou com deficiência auditiva, vítima de violência, à rede de proteção

Abstract

Despite the investments made by the State, the care for deaf or hearing-impaired individuals who have suffered violence is still inadequate in the public sector protection network (RPSP). Based on this assumption, this research aimed to examine the service provided by the public sector social protection network to deaf or hearing-impaired individuals (PSDA), victims of violence. The exploratory qualitative research was conducted in Alagoinhas-BA through document analysis; semi-structured interviews with protection network authorities to assess the accessibility to service channels; a questionnaire with RPSP public servants and agents; interviews with five PSDA to understand the experienced situations of violence (sexual, physical, and psychological) and the negligence that remains unknown to public authorities due to the lack of accessibility of these individuals to the protection network, in addition to the researcher's observation who participates in social actions and works in the judiciary. The concept of disability and communication difficulties permeates the perception of public actors, with most network agents being unaware of public and private services (such as translation or simultaneous interpretation) to mediate PSDA assistance. Despite the understanding that PSDA is more vulnerable to violence than other individuals, there was no investment in training to better serve these individuals. The service channels are not accessible to PSDA, and there is no direct connection to emergency services of the Police, Fire Department, and other public services of the protection network. The lack of trained personnel or sign language interpreters for assistance, the lack of adaptation of service tools, the absence of information, low educational level, and proficiency in Portuguese of PSDA, as well as the lack of visual signaling for preliminary guidance and the absence of public policies for education and inclusion are obstacles in the assistance to PSDA, victims of violence.