The Forensic Aspects of Sexual Violence
Complainants of sexual assault may disclose to different agencies, the police and health professionals being the most likely. It is possible for certain evidence types to be collected before a clinical forensic assessment takes place that do not require the need for a Forensic Medical Practitioner. If the time frames after the incident and the nature of assault warrant the need for a forensic medical examination of either a complainant or a suspect, this should only be conducted by doctors and nurses who have received relevant, up-to-date specialist theoretical and practical training. Find out more →

Guidelines and Protocols: Medico-legal care for survivors/victims of sexual violence
Sexual violence is a significant cause of physical and psychological harm and suffering for women and children. Although sexual violence mostly affects women and girls, boys are also subject to child sexual abuse. Adult men, especially in police custody or prisons may also be subject to sexual violence, as also sexual minorities, especially the transgender community. Sexual violence takes various forms and the perpetrators range from strangers to state agencies to intimate partners; evidence shows that perpetrators are usually persons known to the survivor.Find out more →

Guidelines on Paediatric Forensic Examinations in Relation to Possible Child Sexual Abuse
In 1988 the Association of Police Surgeons (APS -now incorporated into the Faculty of Forensic and Legal Medicine) and the British Paediatric Association (BPA - now the Royal College of Paediatric and Child Health) wrote a ‘Joint Statement on Child Sexual Abuse’ which described good practice for those members of the two bodies who conduct assessments of children who may have been sexually abused (APS & BPA, Appendix I, in Report of the Inquiry into Child Abuse in Cleveland 1987 HMSO 1988. re-issued in 1993). This version updates the original statement and versions 1988, 2002, 2007 and 2009. Find out more →

Sexual Assault Forensic Medical Examination: Is Evidence Related to Successful Prosecution?
It describes the medical-legal findings in a population of adult sexual assault cases assessed in an emergency department setting and reported to the police, document the law enforcement and legal disposition of cases seen over the study period, and determine whether medical-legal findings are associated with filing of charges and conviction after adjusting for demographic factors and assault characteristics. This was a retrospective chart review of all police-reported cases seen from January 1993 to December 1997 at the British Columbia Women's Sexual Assault Service, a 24-hour hospital-based emergency service. Find out more →

Sexual Assault: A Protocol for Adult Forensic and Medical Examination
Sexual assault is a medical emergency and has serious health implications. It is important to encourage sexual assault victims to be examined for the purpose of obtaining medical treatment and to collect forensic evidence in the event the patient decides to pursue legal options. Receiving medical treatment links the victim to multiple other services and support available to victims of sexual assault. This document provides information to help guide Iowa health care providers in offering a forensic medical examination to victims of sexual assault. The protocol is intended to address issues that are routinely involved in a sexual assault examination. Find out more →

Forensic Medical Care for Victims of Sexual Assault
Sexual assault on women and children are some of the most heinous crimes against mankind. These crimes are such a menace that no age is exempted and they comprise of various natural and unnatural sexual offences. It has been estimated that there were 24923 reported cases of Rape in 2012 in India as compared to 20737 in 2007 (statistics published by the National Crime Records Bureau). The cases show a constantly rising pattern even today. In addition to this, the issue of trafficking of women & children for commercial sexual exploitation emerged in India after landmark decision of Hon’ble Supreme Court in the cases of Vishal Jeet (1990) & Gaurav Jain (1997). Find out more →

Manual for Medical Examination of Sexual Assault
Sexual Violence is a significant cause of physical and psychological harm and suffering among women. It takes various forms and the perpetrators range from strangers to state agencies to intimate partners and members of the family. The health of women, including suriviors of sexual violence, is a core concern of the right to health. The right to health is recognized as a fundamental right in India, and it is enshrined in a number of international instruments, including the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women, both of which have been ratified by India.Find out more →

A National Protocol for Sexual Assault Medical Forensic Examinations
Sexual assault is a crime of violence against a person’s body and will. Sex offenders use physical and/or psychological aggression or coercion to victimize, in the process often threatening a victim’s sense of privacy, safety, autonomy, and well-being. Sexual assault can result in physical trauma and significant mental anguish and suffering for victims. In some communities, sexual violence is considered a form of oppression. Victims may be reluctant, however, to report the assault to law enforcement and to seek medical attention for a variety of reasons. For example, victims may blame themselves for the sexual assault and feel embarrassed. They may fear their assailants or worry about whether they will be believed. Find out more →