Abstract

ALMEIDA, André Henrique do Vale de; SILVA, Mona Lisa Cordeiro Asselta da; MUSSE, Jamilly de Oliveira  and  MARQUES, Jeidson Antônio Morais. The responsibility of health notifications in cases of violence against children and adolescents according to its code of ethics. Arq. Odontol. [online]. 2012, vol.48, n.2, pp. 109-115. ISSN 1516-0939.

Violence against children and adolescents is a serious public health problem worldwide, as it demands awareness and an effective participation of the entire society, especially health professionals, because they are often in contact with the victimized patients. The aim of the present study was to determine the responsibility of health professionals in reporting cases of violence against children and adolescents. Research was carried out on the codes of ethics in the fields of medicine, dentistry, nursing, psychology, nutrition, social work, speech therapy, physical education, physical therapy, and pharmacy, as well as on Brazilian law. It was concluded that the ethical codes of professions, on the whole, do not include the compulsory notification of cases of violence, and that professionals have the duty to do so and can be held liable for omission or neglect in accordance with the Brazilian Statute for Children and Adolescents.

Keywords : Notice; Violence; Codes of ethics; Health personnel.