Eugenia Torazzi1, Vera Merelli2, Giussy Barbara3, Alessandra Kustermann4, Laura Marasciuolo2, Federica Collini2, Cristina Cattaneo2. 1. Department of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Section of Legal Medicine, University of Milan, Milan, Italy. 2. Department of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Section of Legal Medicine, University of Milan, and of SVSeD (Service for Sexual and Domestic Violence), Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy. 3. Gynecological Unit and SVSeD (Service for Sexual and Domestic Violence), Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy. Electronic address: giussy.barbara@gmail.com. 4. Obstetrics and Gynecology Emergency Department and SVSeD (Service for Sexual and Domestic Violence), Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy.
Abstract
STUDY OBJECTIVE: To explore whether there are differences in characteristics, clinical findings and management in cases of sexual violence in adolescent and adult women. DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTING: SVSeD-Service for Sexual and Domestic Violence, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy. PARTICIPANTS: Female victims of sexual violence aged 10 years and older. Two study groups were analysed: an adolescent group and an adult group. INTERVENTIONS: None; this was an observational study. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Characteristics of the perpetrator, time spent between the episode of sexual violence and the access to SVSeD, presence of genital and/or extragenital injuries; tests for sexually transmitted diseases, spermatozoa research; and toxicological screening; RESULTS: Adolescent victims of sexual violence requested help later than the adult victims. The majority of the perpetrators were well known to the victims in both groups. In both groups, we observed genital injuries in 1 of 3 patients. We found a strong association between the presence of genital injuries and a positive screening test for sexually transmitted diseases, in particular with regard to the adolescent victims. CONCLUSION: Adolescents' delayed disclosure of sexual violence may affect the ability to properly manage these crimes. Prevention programs and public awareness campaigns should be implemented to highlight the importance of a prompt disclosure after sexual assault has occurred. Gynecologists should be made increasingly aware of this delicate issue, to better assist victims of sexual violence, especially adolescent victims.
STUDY OBJECTIVE: To explore whether there are differences in characteristics, clinical findings and management in cases of sexual violence in adolescent and adult women. DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTING: SVSeD-Service for Sexual and Domestic Violence, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy. PARTICIPANTS: Female victims of sexual violence aged 10 years and older. Two study groups were analysed: an adolescent group and an adult group. INTERVENTIONS: None; this was an observational study. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Characteristics of the perpetrator, time spent between the episode of sexual violence and the access to SVSeD, presence of genital and/or extragenital injuries; tests for sexually transmitted diseases, spermatozoa research; and toxicological screening; RESULTS: Adolescent victims of sexual violence requested help later than the adult victims. The majority of the perpetrators were well known to the victims in both groups. In both groups, we observed genital injuries in 1 of 3 patients. We found a strong association between the presence of genital injuries and a positive screening test for sexually transmitted diseases, in particular with regard to the adolescent victims. CONCLUSION: Adolescents' delayed disclosure of sexual violence may affect the ability to properly manage these crimes. Prevention programs and public awareness campaigns should be implemented to highlight the importance of a prompt disclosure after sexual assault has occurred. Gynecologists should be made increasingly aware of this delicate issue, to better assist victims of sexual violence, especially adolescent victims.
Authors: Yoni Syukriani; A Noviandhari; N Arisanti; E P Setiawati; V K Rusmil; M Dhamayanti; N Sekarwana Journal: BMC Public Health Date: 2022-01-08 Impact factor: 3.295
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