Challenges for the implementation of the chain of custody for rape victims in the Federal District

Abstract

Abstract Chain of Custody implies adequate collection, recording, and storage of the vestige of sexual violence, guaranteeing the reliability of the material that will be forwarded as expert evidence. Its implementation in the Unified Health System has faced challenges. Objective: To know the attendance to victims of sexual violence in the public maternity of Federal District and evaluate the knowledge of the team about the legislation on a chain of custody. Method: Cross-sectional, quantitative, and descriptive study with 134 medical and nursing professionals working in the obstetric emergency, who answered a questionnaire, submitted to descriptive statistical analysis and the Qui-Square Test. Results: Of the 78.95% of professionals who reported attending to victims of sexual violence, 25.71% consulted in 10 minutes, and 14.18% received specific training. The situational diagnosis reveals that the care is superficial, centered on medical issues, and the collection of vestiges is non-existent. Conclusion and implications to nursing practice: A generalized change of posture is necessary so that it is possible to implant the chain of custody in the maternity studied. It is essential to develop care beyond medical issues, and which includes forensics. It is suggested a collaborative action between physicians and nurses, with nursing as the epicenter of this process.