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Journal of The Korean Society of Emergency Medicine 1996;7(4): 496-501. |
A STUDY ON SEXUAL ASSAULT AND ITS LEGAL PROBLEMS |
Hyuk Jun Yang1, Suk Keun Ahn1, Young Su Lim1, Chang Hae Pyo1, Hyung Soo Kim1, Yu Duk Choi2, Keun Lee1 |
1Department of Emergency Medicine, Chung Ang Gil Hospital, Inchon, Korea 2Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Chung Ang Gil Hospital, Inchon, Korea |
Published online: December 31, 1996. |
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ABSTRACT |
Female sexual assault victims who received medical care at Chung Ang Gil Hospital from 1993 to 1995 were evaluated. Data were obtained from the emergency department records and gynecologic clinic ; 25 patients were evaluated. The mean age was 18.5 ; the ages ranged from 3 to 37 years old. Twenty patients(80%) were unmarried and more than half were examined within five hours of assault.
The vast majority of injuries were minor, including abrasions, contusions, and minor lacerations.
Fourteen patients(56%) were acquainted with the assailant. Sexual assault was violent with 64% of all cases involving the use of a knife or blunt objects as a weapon. The optimal management of the sexual assault victim involves a multidisciplinary effort on the part of all legal, medical, and support personnel who interface with the emergency department. Taking a history and conducting a general physical examination are performed methodically and the gathering of evidence proceeds simultaneously with the physical examination. Treatment entails attention to physical injuries, potential venereal diseases and pregnancy and psychiatric intervention.
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Key words:
Sexual assault |
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