Management of survivors of sexual assault within genitourinary medicine

Survivors of sexual assault can access treatment and care within genitourinary (GU) medicine services by attending walk-in, booked or a dedicated clinic. Haven Whitechapel the local Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) provides a forensic and aftercare service. A team was set up to ensure efficient communication and clear referral pathways between the centres. This service was audited after eight months of joint working. A retrospective case note review of women attending between August and March 2007 was undertaken. Sixty-nine women were referred to the dedicated clinic. Vaginal rape was reported by 80% of the women. Offer of forensic medical examination documented in 71% presenting within the forensic timeframe. Emergency contraception was offered to 75% of the women. HIV-acquisition risk was documented in 70%. Seventy-eight percent had a sexually transmitted infection screen at their first visit. An HIV test was done to 41% of the women; all were found to be negative. Sixty-two percent women attended follow-up. GU medicine staff should receive specific training in sexual assault. We recommend that GU medicine services and SARC work in partnership to improve the care of victims of sexual assault who access general GU medicine services.