Mulheres em situação de violência doméstica : a mediação da informação no Centro de Referência da Mulher Ednalva Bezerra

Abstract

Domestic violence is a socio-historical phenomenon that transcends cultural, socioeconomic and geographic barriers, affecting women due to unequal gender and power relations in patriarchal societies. Historically, feminist movements have been protagonists in the dissemination of information about women's rights. Information mediation plays a fundamental role in the process of changing mentalities, and can contribute to the prevention of violence and feminicides. In this context, this research aimed to analyze how the information mediation action carried out at the Ednalva Bezerra Women's Reference Center (CRMEB) contributes to the access and appropriation of information, promoting the change of mentalities and breaking the cycle of violence. Its specific objectives are: to identify the information mediation actions, the mediators and the information devices used at CRMEB; to understand the strategies for searching and accessing information carried out by women served at CRMEB; and to verify how the mediation of information carried out at CRMEB promotes the appropriation of information, impacting women's perceptions about violence and breaking the cycle of violence. Methodologically, this is a documentary and descriptive study, carried out through field research, with a qualitative approach. For data collection, the service records of women who accessed CRMEB were analyzed, in addition to documents produced and disseminated by the service. Semi-structured interviews were also conducted with members of the multidisciplinary team and with women who suffered violence perpetrated by their ex and/or current partner. The analysis and interpretation of the results were conducted based on Laurence Bardin's Content Analysis method. The results indicate that CRMEB constitutes a relevant informational device in confronting domestic violence against women living in the city of João Pessoa. The service implements practices of conscious mediation of information, both implicit and explicit. Psychological, social and legal assistance, as well as the dissemination of information through physical and digital channels, favoring access to information and contributing to the denaturalization of violence. Even in the face of fear, shame and guilt consolidated in the social imaginary, women resist and act to break the cycle of violence. In addition, the professionals on the team are also impacted by the mediating action, exercising criticism, which enables self-knowledge and the (re)construction of meanings, strengthening their protagonist practice. It is concluded that women access CRMEB subverting cultural and historical norms and conceptions that naturalize domestic violence. Access to and interactions with the multiplicity of information mediated by the service favored the process of information appropriation, impacted women's practices and contributed to breaking the cycle of violence. Finally, it is expected that the research will contribute to the interface between Information Science and the problem of violence against women, in addition to improving information mediation at CRMEB and other centers, according to women's information needs.