Rape and sexual assault

doi:10.1136/bmj.39211.403970.BE

BMJ 2007;334:1154-1158 (2 June), doi:10.1136/bmj.39211.403970.BE

Clinical Review

Rape and sexual assault

Jan Welch, clinical director¹, Fiona Mason, consultant forensic psychiatrist²

¹ Haven Camberwell, King's College Hospital, London SE5 9RS, ² St Andrew's Healthcare, Northampton

Correspondence to: J Welch jan.welch@kingsch.nhs.uk

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

Sexual violence is a global problem. The lifetime risk of attemptedor completed rape is up to 20% for women, but men and childrenare also often sexually violated.¹ Sequelae include unwantedpregnancies; sexually transmitted infections, including HIV;depression; and post-traumatic stress disorder. Most of theliterature on rape and sexual assault is retrospective, butwe aim to provide an evidence based review of their management.

Summary points

Rape and sexual assault are common, particularlyamong young women although men and children may also be assaulted

Perpetratorsare usually known to those they assault

People who have beensexually assaulted often seek medical help but may not disclosethe assault

Management includes treatment of injuries; emergencycontraception; prevention of infections, including HIV; andpsychosocial support

Although many people experience psychologicalsymptoms after rape, most recover

A minority of people afterassault have significant and disabling persistent symptoms thatrequire specialist intervention and . . . [Full text of this article]

Sources and selection criteria

Who is sexually assaulted?

What is the initial management?

How can services be accessed?

Treatment of injuries

Why and how should evidence be collected?

Why do a forensic examination?

Contraception

Sexually transmitted infections

Sexually transmitted infections for which screening should beoffered after sexual assault

Post-exposure prophylaxis against HIV

Risk of HIV transmission after sexual assault
Examples
When to consider post-exposure prophylaxis against HIV afterrape

What are the psychosocial factors associated with sexual assault?

Unanswered research questions
Additional educational resources
Useful websites
Information for patients
A patient's story

CiteULike

Complore

Connotea

Del.icio.us Add to Digg

Digg

Technorati What's this?

Rapid Responses:

Read all Rapid Responses

�RAPE�- Is it only a physical trauma?: Vibha Pandey
bmj.com, 6 Jun 2007 [Full text]
Strategise to prevent sexual assault: Saddichha Sahoo
bmj.com, 6 Jun 2007 [Full text]
Archway, Glasgow - A first for Scotland: AMBREEN BUTT, et al.
bmj.com, 28 Jun 2007 [Full text]