[Characteristics of women victims of sexual violence and their compliance with outpatient follow-up: time trends at a referral center in Campinas, São Paulo State, Brazil].

Sexual violence is a crime against individual integrity and sexual freedom. It affects women of all socioeconomic levels, and the perpetrator does not choose the victim's color or age. It is a source of high financial cost and a serious public health problem in Brazil. The current study aimed to assess compliance with outpatient follow-up by women victims of sexual violence treated at the Center for Women's Comprehensive Healthcare at the State University in Campinas, São Paulo State, from January 2000 to December 2006. We observed a significant increase in the return for scheduled appointments. In 2000, 41% of the women completed the six-month follow-up, and by 2006 the proportion had increased to 70%. Some 70% of the women appeared for treatment within 24 hours after being raped. Sexual assault by perpetrators known to the victims tripled during this same period. There were changes in the forms of intimidation and a significant decreased in prescription of emergency contraception.