Forensic medical examination after sexual violence: implications based on victims’ perceptions
Background/Aim: The objective of this study was to assess the perception of the forensic medical examination (FME) by victims of sexual violence. Based on patient-related outcomes gained in terms of personnel, chronological and spatial parameters, an additional aim was to derive improved examination...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article (Journal) |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
March-April 2023
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| In: |
In vivo
Year: 2023, Volume: 37, Issue: 2, Pages: 848-857 |
| ISSN: | 1791-7549 |
| DOI: | 10.21873/invivo.13152 |
| Online Access: | Verlag, kostenfrei, Volltext: https://doi.org/10.21873/invivo.13152 Verlag, kostenfrei, Volltext: https://iv.iiarjournals.org/content/37/2/848 
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| Author Notes: | Laura Berger, Benjamin Tuschy, Stefan Stefanovic, Kathrin Yen, Christel Weiss, Marc Sütterlin, Saskia Spaich and Sebastian Berlit |
| Summary: | Background/Aim: The objective of this study was to assess the perception of the forensic medical examination (FME) by victims of sexual violence. Based on patient-related outcomes gained in terms of personnel, chronological and spatial parameters, an additional aim was to derive improved examination procedures. Patients and Methods: A total of 49 sexually assaulted women were enrolled in this study. After standardized FME by a forensic doctor followed by a gynecologist, women were asked to complete a questionnaire addressing general perception, preferences regarding attending staff’s sex, sequence and time frame of the examinations performed. The attending gynecologist also completed a questionnaire addressing demographic and medical parameters of the patient as well as assault-related information. Results: The examination setting in general was evaluated positively. Nevertheless, 52% of examined victims perceived the FME as an additional psychological burden. Overall, 85% of the affected women preferred a female forensic physician and 76% a female gynecologist to perform the examination. When women said they experienced a violation of their privacy during the gynecological examination, a male was more often present (60% vs. 35%, p=0.0866). Regarding the sequence of the examination components, 65% of the victims preferred to start with their medical history followed by the forensic and then the gynecological examination. Conclusion: Forensic medical and gynecological examination after sexual assault is an essential procedure, yet it is a potentially further traumatizing experience for the victim. The identified patient preferences should be taken into account in order to diminish further trauma. |
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| Item Description: | Gesehen am 22.05.2024 |
| Physical Description: | Online Resource |
| ISSN: | 1791-7549 |
| DOI: | 10.21873/invivo.13152 |