ABSTRACT

This study has been performed for determining the problems faced by sexual assault victims. For this aim, the cases who were sent by Law Enforcement Authorities and examined by the 2nd Specialty Committee of the Council of Forensic Medicine between 19th of February and 29th of September 1997 have been studied and an interview form had been applied.

The age range of the cases was 10-40 years and mean age was 16.5 years. 68.3% of the victims were female and 31.7% were male. It has been determined that all the cases had been examined more than once and they had not been informed about any of these examinations. The victims mentioned that the examination room was dirty and in appappropriate for taking off their clothes. 65% of these victims stated that they felt a change of approach among their kins.

As a conclusion, the data have shown that there are three distinct factors that cause additional trauma of the victims. One of them is the approach and behavior of their social environment, while consecutive medical examinations and judicial procedures are the concomitant factors.

Keywords: Sexual assault, victim, medical examination