Can reproductive health services be used to screen for sexual and gender-based violence in post-conflict Northern Uganda? - a pilot study.

Background: Sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), including rape and child sexual abuse, remains a significant challenge in post-conflict northern Uganda. Many victims have never sought help. Consequently, the scale of the problem is not known, and SGBV victims' injuries, both psychological and physical, remain hidden and unresolved. Objectives: We aimed to explore whether health workers in rural Reproductive Health Services (RHS), following specific training, could provide a valuable resource for SGBV screening and subsequent referral to targeted services. Methods: Our project had three elements. First, RHS workers were trained to use a questionnaire to screen subjects for past SGBV Second, the screening questionnaire was used by RHS workers over a 3-month period, and the data collected were analysed to explore whether the screening approach was an effective one in this setting, and to record the scale and nature of the problem. Third, victims detected were offered referral as appropriate to hospital services or to a dedicated SGBV ActionAid shelter. Results: Of 1656 women screened, 778 (47%) had suffered SGBV: 123 rape, and 505 non-sexual violence. 1,254 (76%) had been directly or indirectly affected by conflict experiences; 1066 had lived in internally displaced persons camps. 145 (9%) requested referral to Gulu SGBV Shelter; 25 attended the shelter and received assistance, and 20 others received telephone counselling. Conclusion: Undetected SGBV remains a significant problem in post-conflict northern Uganda. RHS workers, following specific training, can effectively screen for and identify otherwise unrecognised survivors of SGBV. This matters because without ongoing detection, survivors have no opportunity for resolution, healing or help.

Preliminary Prevalence Estimates of Sexual Exploitation as Measured by the Sexual Experiences Survey-Victimization (SES-V) in a National US Sample.

The new Sexual Experiences Survey-Victimization (SES-V) was designed to capture a larger range of sexual exploitation and to be applicable to more diverse populations than prior measures. This study represents the first administration of the SES-V in a national sample of adults (N = 347). Participants were recruited from a crowdsourcing platform and selected to reflect the national distribution in terms of age, sex, and race/ethnicity. Rates of sexual exploitation since age 14 were very high in this sample (90%), providing evidence that the SES-V was successful in capturing experiences on the low end of the severity continuum. Using the items corresponding to the FBI definition of rape, 60% of women and 29% of men endorsed rape on the SES-V. Compared to men, women reported higher rates of sexual exploitation overall, and higher rates of every type of sexual exploitation except technology-facilitated. The new SES-V also asks participants to estimate the number of separate instances of four types of sexual exploitation that they have experienced; results provided support for the value of these incident estimates in understanding the scope of sexual exploitation. Finally, this study evaluated new sexual acts and exploitative tactics that were added to the SES-V and found that they demonstrated utility and validity. These findings offer preliminary support for the validity and functionality of the SES-V, although the high prevalence of sexual exploitation on the SES-V is discussed as both a strength and limitation. Future research should evaluate prevalence and demographic differences in a larger national sample.

Trend and spatial pattern of intimate partner rape notifications against women in Northeast Brazil (2013-2022).

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the trend and spatial pattern of intimate partner rape reports against women in Northeast Brazil. METHODS: Ecological time-series study and spatial analysis with secondary data from the Notifiable Diseases Information System between 2013 and 2022. Gross rape rates were calculated by type of intimate partner and by age group of the victim. Prais-Winsten regression was used to calculate the trend, and the global and local Moran indices were used for spatial analysis. RESULTS: A total of 5,542 cases of intimate partner rape were reported. Spousal rates ranged from 0.34/100,000 women in 2013 to 0.51/100,000 in 2017, with greater increases between 2018 (1.04/100 thousand) and 2022 (1.28/100 thousand). There was an upward trend in the Northeast as a whole (APC=19.47; 95%CI 15.88-23.22) and in almost all states, except Paraíba and Sergipe. Cases perpetrated by boyfriends (APC=23.90; 95%CI 12.80-36.09) and among women aged 15 to 19 years (APC=22.63; 95%CI 4.18-44.35) showed the highest annual variation. A concentration of high rates was observed in several municipalities in the northwest of Ceará and southeast of Pernambuco. CONCLUSION: The trend in intimate partner rape rates against women increased in the Northeast, especially among younger women and by boyfriends, with a greater agglomeration of notifications in Ceará and Pernambuco.

Male rape in Brazil: A descriptive analysis from 2010 to 2022.

Male rape is a relatively under-discussed topic in scientific literature, despite its significant relevance and prevalence worldwide, including in Brazil. To inform public health and safety policies, this study aimed to analyze cases of male rape using data from SINAN, the Information System for Notifiable Diseases, a division of the Brazilian Ministry of Health, for the years 2010-2022. Our findings reveal a 469 % increase in male rape cases in the country over the study period, with a predominance of cases in the state of São Paulo. Also, a higher prevalence of cases was observed among individuals aged 5-9 years. Furthermore, we identified a correlation between the occurrence of rape and certain factors, including individuals with less than 4 years of formal education if they were over the age of 50, and those who had a history of being sexually abused between the ages of 5 and 14. Additionally, this study reinforces the prevalence of rape cases occurring within domestic environments and perpetrated by individuals closely related to the victims. This study contributes to filling the gap in research on male rape in Brazil, laying the foundation for the development of strategies to prevent and combat rape in the country.

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Military Sexual Trauma, and Birth Experiences at the Veterans Health Administration.

BACKGROUND: Women are a growing portion of the U.S. veteran population, and every year the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) serves an increasing number of women seeking obstetrics services. Women veterans experience elevated rates of anxiety, depression, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and traumatic events, including military sexual trauma, as compared with women in the general population. It is possible that mental health disorders may be associated with birth experiences. OBJECTIVES: We investigated the link between anxiety, depression, PTSD, and military sexual trauma (MST; i.e., rape and sexual harassment) with perceived birth experience (i.e., Negative or Neutral vs. Positive). METHODS: Participants included 1,005 veterans who had recently given birth and were enrolled in the multisite, mixed methods study known as the Center for Maternal and Infant Outcomes Research in Translation study (COMFORT). Using χ2 tests, we investigated the relationship between mental health conditions including anxiety, depression, and PTSD and MST with birth experience (coded as Negative/Neutral vs. Positive). RESULTS: Findings indicated that participants who endorsed PTSD (39.5%), MST-rape (32.1%), or MST-harassment (51.4%; all p < .05) were significantly more likely to report a Negative/Neutral birth experience (14.7%) versus a Positive birth experience (85.3%). Anxiety and depression were not associated with birth experience. CONCLUSIONS: Veterans with PTSD and/or who experienced MST were more likely to report a negative or neutral birth experience. Thus, screening for PTSD and MST during obstetrics services as well as providing trauma-informed obstetrics care during pregnancy, labor, birth, and recovery may be important among veterans seeking obstetric services.

Notificações de violência sexual contra crianças e adolescentes no Rio Grande do Sul: estudo descritivo, 2014-2018 / Notificaciones de violencia sexual contra niños y adolescentes en Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil: estudio descriptivo, 2014-2018 / Notifications of sexual violence against children and adolescents in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil: a descriptive study, 2014-2018

Objetivo: descrever características das notificações de violência sexual contra crianças e adolescentes segundo a raça/cor da pele e sua distribuição no Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil, 2014-2018. Métodos: estudo descritivo de dados do Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação (Sinan); foram analisadas distribuições de frequência, prevalências e diferenças estatísticas pelo teste qui-quadrado de Pearson. Resultados: das 8.716 notificações, a maioria ocorreu na capital (48,2%) e de vítimas do sexo feminino (82,2%) com idade entre 10 e 14 anos (38,1%); houve maior prevalência (370/100 mil) e frequência relativa de estupro (84,5%), exploração sexual (5,8%) e negligência/abandono (4,6%) entre vítimas de raça/cor da pele negra (p-valor < 0,05); 4,6% das notificações foram realizadas nos serviços de Atenção Básica à Saúde (ABS). Conclusão: houve maior frequência de notificações entre pré-adolescentes do sexo feminino e maior prevalência entre negros, alvos prioritários das medidas de proteção; torna-se necessário reforçar a vigilância dessa violência na ABS.

Objetivo: describir las características de las notificaciones de violencia sexual contra niños y adolescentes según raza/color de piel y su distribución en Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil, 2014-2018. Métodos: estudio descriptivo de datos del Sistema de Información de Enfermedades y Notificaciones (Sinan). Distribuciones de frecuencia, prevalencias y diferencias estadísticas fueron analizadas mediante la prueba de chi-cuadrado de Pearson. Resultados: de 8.716 notificaciones, la mayoría ocurrió en la capital (48,2%) y fueron de víctimas del sexo femenino (82,2%) con edades entre 10 y 14 años (38,1%). Hubo mayor prevalencia (370/100.000) y frecuencia relativa de violación (84,5%), explotación sexual (5,8%) y negligencia/abandono (4,6%) entre víctimas de raza/color de piel negro (p-valor < 0,05). Un 4,6% de las notificaciones ocurrió en servicios de atención primaria. Conclusión: hubo mayor frecuencia de notificaciones entre preadolescentes femeninas y mayor prevalencia entre víctimas negras, que deben presentar medidas de protección prioritarias. Es necesario reforzar la vigilancia de violencias en atención primaria.

Objective: to describe characteristics of notifications of sexual violence against children and adolescents according to race/skin color and their distribution in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, between 2014 and 2018. Methods: this was a descriptive study of data retrieved from the Notifiable Health Conditions Information System (SINAN). Frequency distributions, prevalence and statistical differences were analyzed using Pearson's chi-square test. Results: of the 8,716 notifications, most occurred in the state capital (48.2%) and related to female victims (82.2%) aged between 10 and 14 years (38.1%). There was a higher prevalence (370/100,000) and relative frequency of rape (84.5%), sexual exploitation (5.8%) and neglect/abandonment (4.6%) among victims of Black race/skin color (p-value < 0.05). Only 4.6% of notifications occurred in primary health care services. Conclusion: notifications were more frequent among female pre-adolescents and prevalence was higher among Black people, who should be a priority target for protective measures. Surveillance of this form of violence needs to be strengthened in primary care.

Estupro na primeira macrorregião do estado de Alagoas: resultados da pesquisa DVEAL, 2016-2018 / Rape in the first macro-region of the state of Alagoas: results from DVEAL survey, 2016-2018

Objetivos: apresentar resultados do eixo 2 do projeto Diagnóstico da Violência Fatal e Não Fatal no Estado de Alagoas (DVEAL). Neste artigo é comparado o padrão epidemiológico do estupro de crianças e adolescentes em relação aos adultos. Métodos: delineou-se uma investigação observacional e retrospectiva incluindo 380 registros de violência sexual no Instituto Médico Legal, entre 2016 e 2018. Por meio de regressão logística binária e múltipla calculou-se a chance de violência por faixa etária, associando os possíveis fatores relacionados. Resultados: metade das vítimas estupradas possuíam até 13 anos de idade, com média de 14 anos, e 9 em cada 10 casos eram de mulheres/meninas vitimadas. O padrão do estupro identificado foi de vítimas: em situação conjugal solteira; estudantes, abusadas por conhecidos; que realizaram exame pericial entre 1-7 dias; abusadas durante a madrugada; e em região genital. Cerca de 8 em cada 10 casos foram estupros confirmados pela perícia, o restante foi via relato oral. O modelo final identificou dois fatores mais associados à violência sexual em crianças/adolescentes. Conclusão: o padrão de vitimização sexual no estado impacta significativamente crianças e adolescentes e, principalmente, o gênero feminino

Aims: to present the results of axis 2 of the Diagnosis of Fatal and Non-Fatal Violence in the State of Alagoas (DVEAL) project. This article compares the epidemiological pattern of rape involving children/adolescents in relation to adults. Methods: an observational and retrospective investigation was designed, including 380 records of sexual violence at the Instituto Médico Legal, between 2016 and 2018. Through binary and multiple logistic regression, the chance of violence by age group was calculated, associating the possible related factors. Results: half of the raped victims were up to 13 years old, with an average of 14 years old, and 9 out of 10 cases were victimized women/girls. The pattern of rape identified was of victims: single marital status; students, abused by acquaintances; who underwent an expert examination between 1-7 days; abused during the dawn; and in the genital region. About 8 out of 10 cases were rapes confirmed by forensics, the rest were via oral report. The final model identified two factors most associated with sexual violence in children/adolescents. Conclusions: the pattern of sexual victimization in the state significantly impacts children and adolescents, especially the female gender

Prevalência de violência sexual em escolares no Brasil: dados da pesquisa nacional de saúde do escolar 2019 / Prevalencia de la violencia sexual en estudiantes en Brasil: datos de la encuesta nacional de salud escolar 2019 / Prevalence of sexual violence among schoolchildren in Brazil: data from the 2019 national school health

RESUMO Objetivo: analisar a prevalência de violência sexual entre escolares adolescentes de 13 a 17 anos no Brasil. Métodos: estudo transversal com dados da Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde do Escolar de 2019. Foram analisadas as prevalências de abuso sexual e estupro e seus respectivos intervalos de confiança de 95% (IC95%) envolvendo escolares de 13 a 17 anos no Brasil, de acordo com sexo, faixa etária, tipo de instituição, agressor, região admisnistrativa de residência e unidades federadas. Resultados: a prevalência de abuso sexual entre escolares foi de 14,6% (IC95%:14,2;15,1) e de estupro foi de 6,3% (IC95%:6,0;6,6). Maiores prevalências ocorreram entre adolescentes do sexo feminino e da faixa etária de 16 e 17 anos. O agressor mais comum para ambos indicadores foi namorado(a), ex-namorado(a), ficante ou crush. Entre os escolares que sofreram estupro, mais da metade relatou ter sofrido essa violência antes dos 13 anos de idade (53,2%; IC95%: 51,0;55,4). Conclusão: a violência sexual tem elevada prevalência entre os escolares de 13 a 17 anos no Brasil, além de as agressões serem perpetradas, em sua maior parte, por pessoas do núcleo familiar e das relações íntimas e de afeto. É necessário que haja articulação intersetorial para desenvolver políticas públicas que atuem no enfrentamento ao problema.

RESUMEN Objetivo: analizar la prevalencia de la violencia sexual entre los estudiantes adolescentes de 13 a 17 años en Brasil. Métodos: estudio transversal con datos de la Encuesta Nacional de Salud Escolar 2019. Se analizó la prevalencia de abuso sexual y violación y sus respectivos intervalos de confianza del 95% (IC95%) que involucran a estudiantes de 13 a 17 años en Brasil, según sexo, grupo de edad, tipo de institución, agresor, región administrativa de residencia y unidades federadas. Resultados: la prevalencia de los abusos sexuales entre los estudiantes fue del 14,6% (IC95%:14,2;15,1) y de la violación fue del 6,3% (IC95%:6,0;6,6). La mayor prevalencia se dio entre las adolescentes mujeres y en el grupo de edad de 16 y 17 años. El agresor más común para ambos indicadores fue el novio/novia, ex novio, amante o enamorado. Entre los estudiantes que sufrieron una violación, más de la mitad declaró haber sufrido esta violencia antes de los 13 años (53,2%; IC95%: 51,0;55,4). Conclusión: la violencia sexual tiene una alta prevalencia entre los escolares de 13 a 17 años en Brasil, además de que las agresiones son perpetradas principalmente por personas del núcleo familiar y de las relaciones íntimas y afectivas. Es necesario que haya una articulación intersectorial para desarrollar políticas públicas que actúen para enfrentar el problema.

ABSTRACT Objective: to analyze the prevalence of sexual violence among schoolchildren aged from 13 to 17 years old in Brazil. Methods: a cross-sectional study conducted with data from the 2019 National School Health Survey. The prevalence values for sexual abuse and rape and their respective 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) involving students aged from 13 to 17 years old in Brazil were analyzed according to gender, age group, type of institution, aggressor, administrative region of residence and federated units. Results: the prevalence of sexual abuse among schoolchildren was 14.6% (95% CI: 14.2; 15.1) and the one for rape was 6.3% (95% CI: 6.0; 6.6). Higher prevalence values were found among female adolescents an in the age group of 16 and 17 years old. The most common aggressor for both indicators was boyfriend/girlfriend, ex-boyfriend, date or crush. Among the schoolchildren who were victims of rape, more than half reported having suffered this type of violence before 13 years of age (53.2%; 95% CI: 51.0; 55.4). Conclusion: sexual violence has high prevalence among schoolchildren aged from 13 to 17 years old in Brazil, in addition to the aggressions being mostly perpetrated by people from the family nucleus and by individuals with intimate and affection ties. Intersectoral articulation is necessary to develop public policies that act on coping with the problem.

Sexual Victimization, Self-Efficacy to Refuse Sex While Drinking, and Regretting Alcohol-Involved Sex among Underserved Youth in Kampala, Uganda.

The purposes of this study were to determine whether youth who have experienced sexual victimization (SV) have lower self-efficacy to refuse sex and to identify intervention strategies for rape survivors to mitigate further health-risks and harm. Cross-sectional data from the 2014 Kampala Youth Survey (n = 1134) of youth aged 12 to 18 years recruited from Uganda Youth Development Link drop-in centers were used to conduct the analyses. Multivariable statistics were computed to determine the correlates (i.e., sex, education, homelessness, problem drinking, and SV) for (1) self-efficacy to refuse sex, (2) self-efficacy to refuse sex while drinking, and (3) regretting sex due to alcohol use. Among participants, 16.9% reported SV (79% were female and 21% were male). In the final adjusted model, self-efficacy to refuse sex while drinking was only associated with homelessness (OR: 0.52; 95% CI: 0.36, 0.74). Previous SV was not associated with lower self-reports of self-efficacy to refuse sex compared to those who had not experienced SV. Additionally, SV was not associated with increased reports of regrets for sex attributed to alcohol use. Alcohol prevention strategies for the most at-risk youth, including homeless youth, are warranted to improve self-efficacy to refuse sex among youth living in the slums of Kampala.

"They are Assuming That We are Going to Accuse Them of Rape, and We are Assuming That They are Going to Rape us": A Developmental Perspective on Emerging Adults' Consent Conversations Post #MeToo.

Prevalence of sexual assault remains high on American college campuses, and sexual consent education is lacking within school-based sexual health education programming. Much empirical research has aimed to reduce sexual violence through a deeper understanding of college students' perceptions of sexual consent. However, researchers have not yet examined the impact of broader social discourse, such as that initiated by the #MeToo movement, on emerging adults' conceptualizations of sexual consent. Gendered focus groups were conducted with 34 college students at a large midwestern university in spring of 2019. Qualitative analyses using a phenomenological framework revealed a developmental process of consent education shaped by socialized sexual scripts and public discourse of the #MeToo movement. Four distinct themes emerged: (1) Introductions to Consent in Childhood, (2) Lack of Sexual Consent Education in Adolescence, (3) The Nuanced College Context, and (4) Consent in the Era of #MeToo. Findings reveal that consent is introduced in childhood, outside the context of sexuality, but is generally not revisited within the context of sexual consent by parents or educators during adolescence, leaving media messaging and socialized sexual scripts to serve as guides for sexual consent. This lack of sexual consent education in adolescence then leaves emerging adults unprepared for nuanced sexual experiences in the college context and unable to critically engage with public discourse surrounding consent such as the #MeToo movement, which has caused both fearful and positive outcomes. Findings support the need for earlier and more comprehensive education about sexual consent in childhood and adolescence and the need for college sexual assault prevention programs to include further instruction on navigating ambiguous sexual consent experiences.

Neighborhood Racial and Economic Segregation and Disparities in Violence During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Objectives. To describe associations between neighborhood racial and economic segregation and violence during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods. For 13 US cities, we obtained zip code-level data on 5 violence outcomes from March through July 2018 through 2020. Using negative binomial regressions and marginal contrasts, we estimated differences between quintiles of racial, economic, and racialized economic segregation using the Index of Concentration at the Extremes as a measure of neighborhood privilege (1) in 2020 and (2) relative to 2018 through 2019 (difference-in-differences). Results. In 2020, violence was higher in less-privileged neighborhoods than in the most privileged. For example, if all zip codes were in the least privileged versus most privileged quintile of racialized economic segregation, we estimated 146.2 additional aggravated assaults (95% confidence interval = 112.4, 205.8) per zip code on average across cities. Differences over time in less-privileged zip codes were greater than differences over time in the most privileged for firearm violence, aggravated assault, and homicide. Conclusions. Marginalized communities endure endemically high levels of violence. The events of 2020 exacerbated disparities in several forms of violence. Public Health Implications. To reduce violence and related disparities, immediate and long-term investments in low-income neighborhoods of color are warranted. (Am J Public Health. 2022;112(1):144-153. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2021.306540).

Atendimento de urgência de mulheres grávidas em decorrência de violência sexual: características e tendências observadas em 20 anos / Emergency care for women due to sexual assault: characteristics and tendency observed for 20 years

Objetivo: O atendimento médico de urgência (AMU) é fundamental na prevenção e na redução de agravos da violência sexual (VS), como o uso de anticoncepção de emergência (AE). O objetivo deste estudo é analisar 20 anos de AMU após VS entre gestantes decorrente de estupro. Métodos: Estudo transversal com 2.816 mulheres entre 1999 e 2018. Considerou-se buscar ou não o AMU após a VS e dados sociodemográficos. Analisou-se por dispersão de dados e curva exponencial de tendência. Resultados: O AMU ocorreu em 188 casos (6,7%). Neste grupo, não se prescreveu AE em 31 (16,5%) mulheres. Não houve diferença significativa nos dados sociodemográficos. Os extremos de variação dos percentuais para quem buscou AMU foram de 16,1%, em 1999, e de 2%, em 2010, com queda da linha de tendência exponencial (R2 = 0,4667). Conclusão: Não houve associação com características sociodemográficas e a queda expressiva dos percentuais de gestações sugere, indiretamente, melhora da eficácia dos serviços de saúde em prover a AE.(AU)

Objective: Emergency medical care (EMC) is essential in the prevention and reduction of sexual assault (SA), including the use of emergency contraception (EC). The aim of this study is to analyze 20 years of EMC after SA in pregnant women due to rape. Methods: Cross-sectional study with 2,816 women between 1999 and 2018. It was considered to seek or not EMC after SA and sociodemographic data. Statistical analysis was performed by data dispersion and exponential trend curve. Results: EMC occurred in 188 cases (6.7%). In this group, EC was not prescribed in 31 (16.5%). There was no significant difference in sociodemographic data. The extremes of percentage variation for those seeking EMC were 16.1% in 1999, and 2% in 2010, with a drop in the exponential trend line (R2 = 0.4667). Conclusion: There was no association with sociodemographic characteristics and the significant drop in the percentage of pregnancies indirectly suggests an improvement in the effectiveness of health services in providing EC.(AU)

Gender violence against woman nursing students: a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: to identify the sociodemographic profile of nursing students who suffered gender violence and to know the characteristics of the violence that occurred in this population. METHOD: a cross-sectional study with 91 nursing students from a public university in southeastern Brazil, between September 2019 and January 2020. A sociodemographic questionnaire and the World Health Organization Violence Against Women, section 10 were used. RESULTS: approximately 65% suffered some form of gender violence during their lifetime, mainly perpetrated by family members. 41.7% were victims of physical aggression, 23% suffered sexual harassment, 30.8% suffered sexual abuse. There was a pattern of intergenerational violence (p<0.001), vulnerability of self-declared lesbians and/or bisexuals (p=0.705), Christian or evangelical (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: gender violence was high among those surveyed. The experience of forms of violence can damage students' lives. There is a need for attention from teaching institutions and professors in addressing the theme.

Stranger rape; distinctions between the typical rape type and other types of rape. A study based on data from Center for Victims of Sexual Assault.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this descriptive cohort study was to characterize stranger rape compared to other types of rape. METHOD & MATERIALS: All cases of women aged 12 years or older, who contacted a Center for Victims of Sexual Assault in the region of Southern Denmark and underwent a forensic examination in 2018, were collected and analyzed. Descriptive frequencies, Pearson's χ2-test and Fisher's exact-test were performed. RESULTS: Compared to other types of rape, stranger rape were reported to the police more frequently, earlier and more frequently independently, without contact to family, friends or other authorities. In cases of stranger rape women were exposed to threats and violence more often, and clinical findings were found to coincide with the women's report more frequently. Regarding the offenders' level of planning, it was not possible to find significant differences between stranger rape and other rape types by comparing frequencies of the offenders' use of condoms and weapons and/or other remedies as surrogate markers for degree of planning. CONCLUSION: There were several significant characteristic differences between stranger rape and other types of rape. Characterizing the 'archetypical rape' in opposition to other and more frequent types of rape, may give the public, the police, the courts and aid organizations the background needed to understand the importance of rape typologies when handling cases of sexual assault.

An alarming rise in rape in Nepal: A 20-year review.

Criminal justice in Nepal is stringent when it deals with cases of sexual offence. The law protects the victims' rights and fast tracks trials. Notwithstanding, there has been an increase in the number of reported cases recently. This study highlights the increasing number of reported rape and attempted rape cases in Nepal over the past 20 years and discusses the public health measures aimed at preventing these crimes.

The Endemic Amid the Pandemic: Seeking Help for Violence Against Women in the Initial Phases of COVID-19.

During the first months of the COVID-19 pandemic, governments instituted a series of measures to control the spread of the virus. The measures were widely believed to increase women's risk of violent victimization, most of which is by an intimate partner. We examined help-seeking during this period in a large U.S. city and used an interrupted time series analysis to assess the effects of three government interventions on domestic violence and sexual assault hotline calls and on "911" calls regarding domestic violence, assault, and rape. Declaration of an emergency appeared to reduce victim calls to the rape crisis hotline and the few "911" calls about rape. School closure was associated with a reduction in "911" calls about assault and rape and victim calls to the domestic violence hotline. Implementation of stay-at-home orders was associated with a gradual increase in domestic violence hotline calls. Although "911" calls regarding assault fell by nearly half, calls to police for domestic violence were unchanged. In sum, there was a decrease in help-seeking for sexual assault and assault in general but not for domestic violence during the initial phases of the COVID-19 outbreak. The analysis underscores the importance of distinguishing between the violence itself, calls to police, and calls to helplines when claims are made about changes over time in violence against women. The opportunities and constraints for each can differ widely under usual circumstances, circumstances that were altered by public health interventions related to the pandemic.

Associations Between Sexual Assault and Reproductive and Family Planning Behaviors and Outcomes in Female Veterans.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the relationship between lifetime sexual assault (defined as someone having experienced sexual assault in their lifetime) and reproductive health care seeking, contraception usage, and family planning outcomes in female veterans. METHODS: We conducted a secondary analysis of data collected between 2005 and 2008 from computer-assisted telephone interviews with 1,004 female veterans aged 20-52 years who were enrolled at two Midwestern Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care systems. Participants were asked about reproductive, mental, and general health histories, and about lifetime sexual assault. We assessed associations between reproductive histories and contraceptive use among participants who reported lifetime sexual assault, compared with those who had not experienced lifetime sexual assault, by using bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses. Lastly, we examined reasons why these participants had not sought Pap test screening. RESULTS: More than half (62%) of participants reported experiencing lifetime sexual assault. Because there was an association between older age and history of lifetime sexual assault (P<.001), we stratified the analysis by age. Women with a history of lifetime sexual assault were more likely to have had unprotected intercourse for a year or more (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2.31, 95% CI 1.35-3.96) and a teen pregnancy (aOR 2.10, 95% CI 1.07-4.12) than women who did not report lifetime sexual assault. When stratified by age, women aged 40-52 years with a history of lifetime sexual assault were more likely to report more than a year of unprotected sex, teen pregnancy, and not seeking prenatal care with their first pregnancy, than women aged 40-52 who did not report lifetime sexual assault. Women who experienced lifetime sexual assault were more likely to report not seeking Pap tests in the past owing to fear and anxiety when compared with women who had not experienced lifetime sexual assault. CONCLUSION: Female veterans who reported lifetime sexual assault had differences in family planning behaviors compared with women who did not report lifetime sexual assault. These findings have implications for clinicians and VA policymakers when determining family planning and reproductive care delivery needs for female veterans of reproductive age.

Sexual Assault of Women.

Sexual violence is a major public health and human rights issue affecting more than 40% of women in the United States during their lifetimes. Although men and women experience sexual assault, women are at greatest risk. Populations uniquely impacted by sexual assault include adolescents; lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer people; and active-duty military service members. Health consequences of sexual assault include sexually transmitted infections, risk of unintended pregnancy, high rates of mental health conditions (e.g., posttraumatic stress disorder), and development of chronic medical conditions (e.g., chronic pelvic pain). Family physicians care for sexual assault survivors at the time of the assault and years after, and care should follow a survivor-centered and trauma-informed framework. Multiple organizations recommend screening all women for a history of sexual violence; however, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends only universal intimate partner violence screening in women of reproductive age. A validated tool, such as the Two-Question Screening Tool, can be implemented. Initial care should include treatment of physical injuries, prophylaxis for sexually transmitted infections, immunizations, and the sensitive management of psychological issues. Clinicians must comply with state and local requirements for the use of evidence-gathering kits. Many hospitals have developed collection protocols and employ certified Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners or Sexual Assault Forensic Examiners. Prevention of sexual violence requires a comprehensive approach to address individual, relational, community, and societal factors.