Study of Socio-Demographic Profile of Sexual Assault Survivors at A Tertiary Care Centre

Abstract

The Forensic examination following sexual assault has two principal goals i.e. to provide comprehensive health care and to collect evidences. In India, in 2020, of the total rape cases investigated by police, 82.2% of cases were filed and 39.3% were found guilty. The low conviction rate often reflects a lack of coordination between law enforcement and survivors. This study is based on the record of sexual assault victims who were brought for medico-legal examination. Total 47 cases of survivors of sexual assault were examined in the SAFE unit of Forensic Medicine department over the span of 2 years. The present study shows that instances of a sexual offence are higher in younger age females especially among those who belong to lower socioeconomic status. The most common genital injury reported was vaginal followed by fossa navicularis/fourchette. Proper training of healthcare workers and the use of improvised examination techniques not only aids in the acquisition of knowledge but it may also assist survivors in the administration justice.