[Forensic examination in cases of rape and attempted rape reported to the police. A study of a new procedure used in the municipality of Copenhagen].

Increasing recognition of the late psychological sequelae of rape has resulted in alteration in the practice of medico-legal investigation in the Municipality of Copenhagen with the offer of psychological treatment free of charge. During a period of two years, 100 women were examined and 20% of these accepted psychological treatment. The percentage of women seeking psychological treatment was greatest among those who were examined in the new premises attached to the psychiatric clinic of the University Hospital. These premises satisfy a number of needs but are not optimal. A recent committee publication proposes a special clinic for victims of sexual assaults not only the women who have reported the case to the police but also those who have not reported it. A department such as this must be considered to be the optimal solution for solution of the requirements of victims of rape. The 20 women who received psychological treatment presented psychological symptoms of the same type and degree as described in other investigations, and these symptoms were not found to have any definite relation to the nature of the rape, its violence or defensive actions made by the women. As compared with the frequency of psychological sequelae described in the literature, only few women sought psychological aid. The explanation of this may be problems in organization at the commencement of the new arrangement.