Rape: the gynecologist's role

The rape victim is a product of both a sexual and violent crime; the patient, in becoming the gynecologist's responsibility, must be received in a manner uniquely adapted to fit this situation. The physician must maintain his or her role as a healer and has no place acting as a lawyer or law enforcement officer. However, by obtaining the necessary, basic knowledge of the community's law, the physician can enable the patient to avoid unnecessary personnel, who tend to interview her at the most traumatic moment. It is best to do the minimum needed so that the patient realizes she is being treated as a troubled individual and not as a part of a future medicolegal case. In addition, the physician can practice good preventive medicine by alerting patients to clues about how to avoid rapists' attacks and yet do all they can to prevent the injuries which, although not primary, are part of many rapes. Our patients need a friend, a physician and a counselor all in one. The gynecologist should be all three.