The nature and frequency of genital injuries sustained by female rape victims in Johannesburg
Date
2013
Authors
Hutton, Graham Ian
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Abstract
Background: Little research has addressed the types and meaning of genital injury in South African rape victims. In South Africa, rape victims in private practice are examined using gross visualisation and a light source only. Research has shown that the use of toluidine blue and/ or a colposcope increases the number of injuries seen.
Objective: To determine rape victim demographics and describe the genital injuries and other associated injuries reported during medico-legal examination of female rape victims older than 15 in four private Johannesburg hospitals between 1 January 2008 and 31 December 2009, as well as to determine any associations between these variables and the race or age of the victim.
Method: A retrospective chart review of 310 sexual assault victims seen at these hospitals.
Results: Black victims made up 62% of the study. One genital injury was recorded for 27% of the victims, while 21% had between 2 and 8 of a possible 11 injuries. The most commonly injured sites were the posterior fourchette, the hymen and the fossa navicularis. Bruising was the most common associated injury. Alcohol was reported in just fewer than 10% of cases.
Conclusion: The incidence of positive genital injury documented is comparable to other research. Genital injuries are not inevitable consequences of sexual assault.
Description
A research report submitted to the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of
Master of Science in Emergency Medicine.
MScMed (Emergency Medicine)
Johannesburg, November 2013