Sexual Assault - 28/07/11

Doi : 10.1016/j.emc.2011.04.012

Heather K. DeVore, MD ^a,^b,^⁎ , Carolyn J. Sachs, MD, MPH ^c,^d,^e
^a Department of Emergency Medicine, Washington Hospital Center and Georgetown University, 110 Irving Street, Northwest Suite NA1177, Washington, DC 20010, USA
^b District of Columbia Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Program, The Lighthouse Center for Healing, 5321 First Place, NE, Washington, DC 20011, USA
^c Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California, 924 Westwood Boulevard, Suite 300, Los Angeles, CA 09924, USA
^d Department of Medicine, University of California, 924 Westwood Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 09924, USA
^e Forensic Nurse Specialists, Orange County, 3435 Cerritos Avenue, Los Alamitos, CA 90720, USA

Corresponding author. Department of Emergency Medicine, Washington Hospital Center and Georgetown University, 110 Irving Street, Northwest Suite NA1177, Washington, DC 20010.

Résumé

Sexual assault is a problem that permeates all socioeconomic classes and impacts hundreds of thousands in the United States and millions worldwide. Most victims do not report the assault; those that do often present to an emergency department. Care must encompass the patients' physical and emotional needs. Providers must be cognizant regarding handling of evidence and possible legal ramifications. This article discusses the emergency medicine approach to history taking, physical examination, evidence collection, chain of custody, psychological and medical treatment, and appropriate follow-up. Special circumstances discussed include intimate partner violence, male examinations, pediatric examinations, suspect examinations, and drug-facilitated assaults.

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Keywords : Sexual assault, Rape, Violence, Forensic medicine