Renate R Zilkens1, Debbie A Smith2, Maureen A Phillips3, S Aqif Mukhtar4, James B Semmens5, Maire C Kelly6. 1. Centre for Population Health Research, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia. Electronic address: r.zilkens@curtin.edu.au. 2. Sexual Assault Resource Centre, Women and Newborn Health Service, Subiaco, Western Australia, Australia. Electronic address: Debbie.Smith@health.wa.gov.au. 3. Centre for Population Health Research, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia; Sexual Assault Resource Centre, Women and Newborn Health Service, Subiaco, Western Australia, Australia. Electronic address: Maureen.Phillips@health.wa.gov.au. 4. Centre for Population Health Research, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia. Electronic address: Aqif.Mukhtar@curtin.edu.au. 5. Centre for Population Health Research, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia. Electronic address: james.semmens@curtin.edu.au. 6. Sexual Assault Resource Centre, Women and Newborn Health Service, Subiaco, Western Australia, Australia. Electronic address: Maire.Kelly@health.wa.gov.au.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To describe the frequency of genital and anal injury and associated demographic and assault characteristics in women alleging sexual assault. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: Sexual Assault Resource Centre (SARC), Western Australia. PARTICIPANTS: Total of 1266 women attending SARC from Jan-2009 to Mar-2015. METHODS: Women underwent a standardised data collection procedure by forensically trained doctors. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: (1) Frequency of genital and anal injuries by type of sexual assault. (2) Identification of independent factors associated with genital and anal injuries following, respectively, completed vaginal and anal penetration. RESULTS: Genital injury was observed in 24.5% of all women with reported completed vaginal penetration; in a subset with no prior sexual intercourse 52.1% had genital injury. Genital injury was more likely with no prior sexual intercourse (adjusted odds ratio [adj. OR] 4.4, 95% confidence interval [95%CI] 2.4-8.0), multiple types of penetrants (adj. OR 1.5, 95%CI 1.0-2.1), if general body injury present and less likely with sedative use and delayed examination. Anal injury, observed in 27.0% of reported completed anal penetrations, was more likely with multiple types of penetrants (adjusted OR 5.0, 95%CI 1.2-21.0), if general body injury present and less likely with delayed examination. CONCLUSION: This study separately quantifies the frequency of both genital and anal injuries in sexually assaulted women. Genital injuries were absent in a large proportion of women regardless of prior vaginal intercourse status. It is anticipated that findings will better inform the community, police and medico-legal evidence to the criminal justice system.
OBJECTIVES: To describe the frequency of genital and anal injury and associated demographic and assault characteristics in women alleging sexual assault. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: Sexual Assault Resource Centre (SARC), Western Australia. PARTICIPANTS: Total of 1266 women attending SARC from Jan-2009 to Mar-2015. METHODS:Women underwent a standardised data collection procedure by forensically trained doctors. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: (1) Frequency of genital and anal injuries by type of sexual assault. (2) Identification of independent factors associated with genital and anal injuries following, respectively, completed vaginal and anal penetration. RESULTS:Genital injury was observed in 24.5% of all women with reported completed vaginal penetration; in a subset with no prior sexual intercourse 52.1% had genital injury. Genital injury was more likely with no prior sexual intercourse (adjusted odds ratio [adj. OR] 4.4, 95% confidence interval [95%CI] 2.4-8.0), multiple types of penetrants (adj. OR 1.5, 95%CI 1.0-2.1), if general body injury present and less likely with sedative use and delayed examination. Anal injury, observed in 27.0% of reported completed anal penetrations, was more likely with multiple types of penetrants (adjusted OR 5.0, 95%CI 1.2-21.0), if general body injury present and less likely with delayed examination. CONCLUSION: This study separately quantifies the frequency of both genital and anal injuries in sexually assaulted women. Genital injuries were absent in a large proportion of women regardless of prior vaginal intercourse status. It is anticipated that findings will better inform the community, police and medico-legal evidence to the criminal justice system.
Authors: Luz Angela Torres-de la Roche; Harald Krentel; Rajesh Devassy; Maya Sophie de Wilde; Lasse Leicher; Rudy Leon De Wilde Journal: GMS Interdiscip Plast Reconstr Surg DGPW Date: 2019-09-12
Authors: Giussy Barbara; Valentina Albertini; Veronica Maria Tagi; Lidia Maggioni; Maria Carlotta Gorio; Cristina Cattaneo; Fabio Parazzini; Elena Ricci; Laura Buggio; Alessandra Kustermann Journal: Int J Womens Health Date: 2022-03-03