LA EDUCACIÓN SEXUAL EMANCIPATORIAENEL TRABAJO CONFAMILIASENEL CENTRO DE REFERENCIA DE ASISTENCIA SOCIAL

Resumen

Educating individuals for an emancipatory approach to sexuality involves providing information that mitigates the negative influences of repressive and coercive practices, which are commonly present in society. It is considered that the services of Basic Social Assistance Protection can offer an appropriate space for developing this work. Thus, this article presents an experience report on the work conducted with families in situations of social vulnerability attended at a Social Assistance Reference Center (CRAS) in a municipality of Espírito Santo, Brazil. The study describes group activities focused on sexual education, carried out throughout 2019, with three segments of the population served by CRAS: families experiencing socioeconomic vulnerability assisted by the Comprehensive Family Protection and Assistance Service (PAIF), adolescents from the Social Assistance and Strengthening of Bonds Service (SCFV), and pregnant women benefiting from the Bolsa Família Program. A mixed-methods approach was used, including documentary screenings, discussion circles, and interactive quizzes. The experiences were analyzed through the lens of the Bioecological Theory of Human Development, which highlights the importance of social programs and public policies in promoting healthy development. The findings indicate that the psychosocial team’s welcoming approach to participants’ concerns contributed to expanding the discussion on these topics, enhancing the sexual education process. It is observed that, through the reported activities, it was possible to strengthen community, family, and institutional protective bonds; promote access to information on safe sexuality practices, social assistance benefits, and reproductive health; enhance participants' self-knowledge regarding women's comprehensive health; and demystify bodily functions and the transmission of sexually transmitted infections (STI). However, some challenges were encountered during the implementation of the activities. These were understood as indicators of the need for the psychosocial team’s work to align with the guidelines set forth in official documents on sexuality education and the directives for PAIF operations.