GENDER VIOLENCE: SOCIAL REPRESENTATIONS OF RELATIVES

This study aimed at analyzing the social representations of gender violence by family members. A qualitative study based upon the Theory of Social Representations. The free word association test was undertaken by 81 relatives of women who suffered gender violence registered in Family Health Units of Jequié, Bahia. The data were submitted to correspondence factorial analysis in the Tri-deux-mots software. The relatives' representation of gender violence is rooted in unequal gender relations observed in the hierarchy of social relations between the man and the women, which legitimizes gender violence. Younger relatives highlighted the sexist attitudes while those aged 40 years and older highlighted the role of women as caregivers. Evangelical relatives emphasized the subordination of women while relatives who follow other religions emphasized the suffering. We emphasize the need to implement actions to address violence considering these representations in the healthcare services.