The Covid- 19 Pandemic and Sexual Violence against Women: A Spacial and Temporal Analysis of Rapes in Pernambuco, Brazil

ABSTRACT Sexual violence and rape are attacks on a woman’s body and dignity; such assaults have psychological, social and economic consequences for the rest of her life. The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed and exacerbated inequalities within countries, with women being more vulnerable to domestic and sexual violence and femicides. This study aimed to analyze the temporal trend of rape rates against women in Pernambuco, in the pre-pandemic and pandemic periods. There were 8,948 rapes against women in the period, with 5,076 (56.7%) occurring in the pre-pandemic. In the pandemic period, there was a reduction in rape rates against women in the adult population and in the Metropolitan Region. The reductions in the rate of rape against women found may reflect underreporting during the pandemic, as well as stigma, fear, shame and victim-blaming.