Emergency Department Visits for Sexual Assault: A Retrospective Review of Injury Reports

Objectives: This study aims to characterize sexual assaults through the analysis of demographic, clinical, and medico-legal variables and to identify areas for improvement both in the care pathway and in the collection of information relevant to judicial proceedings. Methods: A retrospective review of injury reports issued by the reference hospital in Cantabria (northern Spain) between 2021 and 2024 was conducted. Variables related to the victim and the assault (including its temporal and spatial characteristics) were extracted, and both descriptive and analytical statistical methods were applied. Results: The results showed that 57% of reported sexual assaults occurred in a private residence, and in 68% of cases, the victim had voluntarily met with the aggressor. Temporally, incidents took place predominantly during early morning hours and on weekends, and most victims sought medical care within the first 24 h. Notably, 52% had consumed drugs or alcohol, 22% reported memory gaps suggestive of chemical submission, and victims who had consumed alcohol were less likely to express an intention to press charges (p = 0.005). In over half of the reports, the information provided was insufficient to properly interpret the results of biological trace analyses. Conclusions: Identifying common variables related to both the victims and the circumstances of sexual assault is essential for developing effective prevention and intervention strategies. Furthermore, the information to be included in injury reports for sexual assault should be standardized at the national level, as shortcomings in data collection during the initial medical assessment (which is highly relevant for judicial processes) highlight the need to raise awareness among emergency care professionals.