Description of Psychological Services at Police Stations Specialized in Assisting Women in Brazil

Abstract

This study sought to characterize the performance of psychologists at police stations that provide specialized assistance to women (deams) in Brazil, aiming at identifying the professional profile, the epistemological bases, theoretical models and the instruments used on a daily basis, as well as the challenges, difficulties and / or potentials experienced by professionals at work involving individuals surrounded by a violent environment. The sample involved eleven participants, representatives of the five Brazilian geographic regions. The data was obtained through an online form, available in a Google Doc and sent by email. The information consisted of categories for quantitative-qualitative analysis. It was found that there is a diversified professional practice, pointing out that the role of the psychologist is not limited to the physical space of the police station, but also touches other spheres of the society. The psychological practice at Women’s Police Stations acknowledged it to be a daily challenge and a tenacious task for the professionals, demanding vast theoretical and technical knowledge and affective availability because it has proven to be a matter of high complexity. The scarcity of guidelines for action, coupled with poor professional training, contributes to the existence of difficulties in coping with violence against women