The rape victim: a review of 117 consecutive cases

The case records of 117 women examined at University Hospital for the complaint of alleged rape have been reviewed. The usual victim was white, single, under the age of 25 years, and attacked by a single assailant. Fifteen patients sustained serious physical injury, and 60 received minor injuries. Six children required hospitalization for reparative surgery. One patient required hospitalization for 9 days secondary to severe emotional stress. The number of attacks was lowest in the daytime and highest from midnight to 6:00 AM. Cultures from the endocervix were positive for gonorrhea in 12% of rape victims. Unfortunately, it would appear from public records that there is little hope of the attackers being convicted.