The Implications of Forensic Medical Examination Following Sexual Violence; A Study on Victims' Perceptions

Abstract

Objective: To determine how victims of sexual violence perceive forensic medical examinations (FME).

Methodology:  This cross sectiona study was conducted in Liaqat University medical and health sciences Hyderabad from January 2023 to March 2023. The study included 100 women who had been sexually abused. A convenient sampling strategy was adopted.

Results: The mean age, height, weight and BMI of the cases was 26.32 ± 3.67, 165.12 ± 8.83, 74.51 ± 12.24 and 27.36 ± 4.30 respectively. From the total 49% of the enrolled women were single. There were 69% women with 0 gravidity and 70% with 0 parity. There were 70% women having no procedure done before, 19% with c section, and 11% with vaginal delivery. In this study 70% women found adequacy of the premises, 94% were prepared for the examination, and 8% showed that duration of doctor victim conversation was too long. In this data 90% women answered that the privacy was not protected, and 9% answered that examination was an additional psychological burden. 100% women preference of the sex of staff and attending police officer was female.

Conclusion: Conducting an FME after a sexual assault is an essential procedure, however it may subject the victim to additional psychological distress. In order to reduce victim stress, it is recommended to use various measures, including privacy protection, empathic and sensitive involvement, and, if feasible, treatment by female professionals, as the FME has been identified as an additional psychological stress.