Clinical Analysis of Female Sexual Assault Victims.

Yoon, Won Sik; Kweon, In; Lee, Gui SeRa; Hur, Soo Young; Kim, Sa Jin; Choi, Bo Moon

Original Article

Korean Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology 2003;46(2):283-287.
Published online February 1, 2003.

Clinical Analysis of Female Sexual Assault Victims.

Won Sik Yoon, In Kweon, Gui SeRa Lee, Soo Young Hur, Sa Jin Kim, Bo Moon Choi

¹Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine, Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.
²Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to evaluate female victims of sexual assault and assess the similarities and differences between them. METHODS: Case files and photographs of 59 women examined at Holy Family hospital for sexual assault during Jan 1, 1991 to Dec 31 2001 were reviewed. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 17.12 (+/-11.50). 45 (76.3%) of assailants were strangers to the victims. 35 (59.3%) had genital injuries and 8 (13.6%) needed surgical treatments. No victim was pregnant and 17 (28.8%) was reported to police. CONCLUSION: Sympathetic concern in the treatment of women who come forward to report the experience of sexual assaults will result in more reporting of rape. The victims need to be educated at home, at school, and by their primary care providers to avoid situations in which they could make themselves vulnerable to sexual assault, and they should be taught the importance of immediately reporting their assault and seeking medical care.

Key Words: Sexual assault, Rape, Victims