Review of the vancouver sexual assault assessment project

This paper reviews the first year's experience of an emergency sexual assault assessment service provided by a roster of female family physicians. All 100 patients seen were female. The youngest was 13 and the oldest was 92 (mean 25.3). Seventy-three percent were seen between 5 p.m. and 9 a.m. on weekdays. A further 13% were seen on holidays or weekends. In 29% of patients, sperm were seen on immediate microscopy. In 68%, bruises, abrasions or lacerations were noted. Seventeen percent of the women had no abnormal physical findings. The psychological effects of assault on the victims and physicians are described.