[Sexual abuse assessed by forensic examinations]

Area of Science:

• Forensic Medicine
• Public Health
• Sexual Assault Research

Context:

• Medico-legal examinations for sexual assault victims in Denmark.
• Analysis of cases over a three-year period involving 178 victims (175 women, 3 men).
• Denmark lacks dedicated public services for rape victims, requiring a police report for examination.

Purpose:

• To evaluate the medico-legal examination process and follow-up care for sexual assault survivors.
• To identify factors associated with penal penetration.
• To highlight gaps in sexually transmitted disease (STD) screening and counseling.

Summary:

• 178 individuals underwent medico-legal examination post-sexual assault.
• Penal penetration occurred in 78% of cases, more frequent when victims were under the influence of alcohol or knew the assailant.
• Only 52% of victims were recommended STD follow-up, with 48% of those attending the clinic.

Impact:

• Highlights significant gaps in healthcare provision for sexual assault survivors in Denmark.
• Underscores the need for improved access to STD screening and counseling.
• Calls for policy changes to establish public services for rape victims, independent of police reports.