SEXUAL VIOLENCE AND FEMALE HOMICIDES BY RACE IN GOIÁS, BRAZIL (2013–2022): AN EPIDEMIOLOGICAL AND DECOLONIAL ANALYSIS

Abstract

Introduction: Sexual violence is still recognized as a problem with significant impact on Public Health. This phenomenon is permeated by racial and gender inequalities that increase the vulnerability of specific population groups. Objective: To compare the statistical behavior of sexual violence and homicide rates between white and non-white women in the state of Goiás, Brazil, from 2013 to 2022. Methodology: This is a cross-sectional study that used the Notifiable Diseases Information System for data collection, analyzing 120 records in the category “Interpersonal/Self-inflicted Violence - Brazil”, considering the variables “white”, “black”, and “brown”. The statistical approach included the Shapiro-Wilk Test to assess data normality; contingency table analysis to measure the association between race and violence notification; and the Chi-Square Test to examine significant differences between groups. Results: Indicated non-Gaussian patterns in both observed groups; for white women, a coefficient of 0.907 and a p-value of 4.802e-07; for black women, a coefficient of 0.805 and a p-value of 2.631e-11. In the racial analysis, the p-value (1.94e-07) of the Chi-Square Test for independence indicated a statistically significant association between women’s race and the number of sexual violence notifications, prompting the interpretation of this reality in light of decolonial theories. Conclusion: Racial disparities in the notification of sexual violence are evident, highlighting the need for intersectional and decolonial approaches to understand and address this public health problem.