Updated Epidemiologic Analysis of Sexual Assault Victims.
- Author:
Hyung Seob WON
1
;
Yun Jung YOON
;
Dong Youb SUH
Author Information
1. Department of Emergency Medicine, Department of OB&GY.
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Sexual assault;
Epidemiology
- MeSH:
Age Distribution;
Anger;
Anxiety;
Contusions;
Counseling;
Epidemiology;
Female;
Genitalia;
Guilt;
Humans;
Hymen;
Incidence;
Lacerations;
Phobic Disorders;
Police;
Prevalence;
Prospective Studies;
Rape;
Rupture;
Sensation;
Sexually Transmitted Diseases;
Single Person
- From:Journal of the Korean Society of Emergency Medicine
2003;14(3):304-308
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
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.
