Follow-up of sexual assault victims☆,☆☆,★
Section snippets
Methods
This study was approved by the institutional review board as a retrospective cohort analysis involving records from two sources, the acute sexual assault evidentiary examination and the SAFE Clinic visits. Data were extracted from records of female adolescents and adults (aged ≥12 years) who reported an acute sexual assault and underwent a complete evidentiary examination between January 1, 1995, and June 30, 1997. Cases were excluded if the assault did not represent a completed sexual assault
Results
There were 389 of 411 cases that met the study criteria and were included in the analysis. The average age of the victim was 24.3 (±10.2) years with a range of 12 to 88 years. African Americans composed 43% of the victims, and 55% were white. The average age of the assailant, or the youngest assailant if there were more than one, was 27.3 (±9.1) years with a range of 13 to 68 years (366 victims either knew the age of the assailant or made an estimation; if an age range was estimated, the lower
Comment
This study describes medical outcomes of female adolescents and women seen for follow-up of a sexual assault and analyzes characteristics associated with utilization of follow-up health care services. Our institution is the designated site for all sexual assault evidentiary examinations in a tricounty area serving a moderate-sized southern city. Our overall sample of sexual assault victims is similar to previous reports in age, race, assault characteristics, and physical findings.10, 13, 14
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Cited by (83)
Female adolescent sexual assault; a national review of 1014 consecutive cases
2024, Journal of Forensic and Legal MedicineVulnerability and revictimization: Victim characteristics in a Dutch assault center
2017, Journal of Forensic and Legal MedicineMental health, sexual violence and the work of Sexual Assault Referral centres (SARCs) in England
2015, Journal of Forensic and Legal MedicineCitation Excerpt :Despite the clear links between sexual violence and mental health disorders, self-harm, and suicidal intention only 10% of people in the “extensive physical and sexual abuse” group were currently in receipt of counselling or a talking therapy. Other studies have shown only 26% of those who are the victims of sexual violence receive follow-up mental health care.1,7 Whilst only a minority of victims obtain mental health care, those so do receive immediate support have reported improved mental health symptoms.2,3
Psychiatric evaluation of women who were assisted at a university referral center in Campinas, Brazil, following an experience of sexual violence
2014, International Journal of Gynecology and ObstetricsSexually transmitted infections diagnosed in individuals presenting for forensic and medical care following sexual assault
2023, Sexually Transmitted Infections
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From the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecologya and the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences,b Medical University of South Carolina.
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Reprint requests: Melisa M. Holmes, MD, 171 Ashley Ave, Charleston, SC 29425.
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0002-9378/98 $5.00 + 0 6/6/91625