[The meaning of sexual abuse in the manifestation of corporeity: a phenomenological study].

This phenomenological study aimed at understanding the meaning of sexual abuse in the manifestation of corporeity. It was performed at an outpatient clinic for victims of sexual abuse from a teaching hospital in Curitiba/Brazil, from February to May of year 2007. The statements were obtained by means of recorded open interviews performed with nine women. The analysis resulted in the following theme: Living with fear in the process of co-existence. It was evidenced that fear influenced those women's social life, brought about insecurity, affected their being and their being in the world and, consequently, their corporeity. Health professionals must be qualified to perceive women victims of social abuse in their multidimensionality so the care they deliver are not merely instrumental, rather expressive, that is, subjectively-oriented. Thus, they will be able to help those victims transcend their experience and find a new meaning to their existence, and care delivery will be humanized, ethical and sympathetic.