Updated Epidemiologic Analysis of Sexual Assault Victims

PURPOSE: It is important for the physician and a rape counselor to understand epidemiology studies of the incidence, prevalence, spread, prevention, and control of sexual assault in a local community or a specific group of individuals. We did this study in order to find an effective treatment for the sexual assault victims and to establish a data base on them. METHODS: We prospectively evaluated sexually assaulted patients who visited the Medical Supportive Center for Women at the National Police Hospital from Oct. 11, 2001, to Oct. 10, 2002. The data were obtained from the records of the ER (emergency room) and OB & GY (obstetric & gynecologic) clinic; a total of 169 patients were evaluated. RESULTS: The mean age was 20.1 years old. The age distribution of sexual assault victims was divided into four: 14 cases under 7 years of age (8.3%), 26 cases between ages 7 and 13 years (15%), 43 cases between ages 14 and 19 years (26.3%), and 86 cases over 20 years of age (52.6%). Of the patients, 157 (92.9%) were unmarried and 117 (69.2%) were examined within 1 hour after visiting the hospital. The physical injuries were 15 vaginal injuries (26.9%), 34 ruptures of the hymen (16.9%), 1 sexually transmitted disease (0.6%), 57 abnormal sensations of the genital organ (28.3%), and 55 minor injuries including abrasions, contusions, and lacerations (27.3%). The psychological injuries were 105 phobias (21.4%), 92 anxieties (18.8%), 68 angers (13.9), 51 guilts (10.4%), and the like. Eighty-eight patients (52.1%) were acquainted with the assailant. CONCLUSION: Optimal management of sexual assault victims should involve continuous epidemiologic analysis and the estalishment of an assault-victim data base.

Overview of Sexual Assault Evidence Collection (SAEC) Program

Cases of sexual assault are often difficult to investigate and prosecute. The collection of evidence is a crutial factor when determining if such a case will go forward. Evidence contained in a rape kit plays a significant role in whether or not a crime of sexual assault can be prosecuted. It is important not only that the evidence be collected properly but also that the kit itself provide for the proper collection of evidence and materials. Because most hospital emergency departments throughout the country use their own kits, or none at all, there is a vast inconsistency in evidence collection. Different kits collect different amounts of evidence. For this reason, we established a kit committee to evaluate the contents of victim evidence collection kits. We propose that most hospital emergency departments and some clinics across the country be provided with rape kits to be used during forensic medical examinations of sexual assault victims and that those kits should be supplied the Sexual Assault Evience Collection (SAEC) Program, commonly referred to as the Rape Kit Program.