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Cited by 31Sexual Assault and Victimization StudiesIntimate Partner and Family ViolenceSex work and related issues

Evaluation and management of female victims of sexual assault.

Vrees, Roxanne A.·2017·Obstetrical & Gynecological Survey
DOI 10.1097/ogx.0000000000000390
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Abstract

Sexual assault is characterized by any sexual contact or behavior that occurs without explicit consent. Classifications vary based on the status of the perpetrator’s relationship to the victim (eg, stranger, acquaintance) and characteristics of the victim herself (eg, child, elder adult, mentally disabled adult). Regardless of the classification, sexual assault is a significant individual as well as public health issue affecting women of all ages. While the majority of sexual assault cases are not initially reported to law enforcement, the best available data suggest the lifetime prevalence of sexual assault in the United States is approximately 20% among adult women. With such a significant proportion of women affected by sexual assault, women’s health care providers in both ambulatory and emergency care settings play key roles in the evaluation, management, and advocacy of these victims. Establishing standard protocols based on state laws and on victim-centered practices to avoid revictimization of the patient is critical. The primary goals of care include the assessment and treatment of physical injuries, psychological assessment and support, pregnancy assessment and prevention, and therapy for prevention of sexually transmitted infections. In addition, evidentiary collection is a critical component of the sexual assault evaluation and subsequent legal proceedings. This report focuses specifically on the immediate evaluation and management of adult female victims of sexual assault. Best practices include the utility of the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner and Sexual Assault Forensic Examiner programs, as well as standardized treatment protocols. Target Audience Obstetricians and gynecologists, family physicians. Learning Objective After completing this activity, the learner should be better able to (1) be familiar with the clinical and forensic components of the initial evaluation of a female victim of sexual assault; (2) provide counseling and treatment for pregnancy prevention, sexually transmitted infections, and human immunodeficiency virus following a sexual assault; (3) discuss the immediate and long-term sequelae following sexual assault; and (4) identify available local resources for sexual assault victims.

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Crossref · 10.1097/ogx.0000000000000390

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  • Compliance with follow-up visits is typically poor among survivors of sexual assault.

    “Although collection of specimens at initial examination for laboratory STI diagnosis gives the survivor and clinician the option of deferring empiric prophylactic antimicrobial treatment, compliance with follow-up visits is typically poor (1423–1425).”

    From Sexually Transmitted Infections Treatment Guidelines, 2021 (2021) · cites this paper as [1425]

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Authors
Vrees, R. A.
Affiliations
Brown University (US)
Corresponding author
Vrees, Roxanne A.
ORCID
Vrees, Roxanne A.
Venue
Obstetrical & Gynecological Survey
Publisher
Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Published
2017-01
Volume
72
Issue
1
Pages
39-53
ISSN
  • 0029-7828 (ISSN-L)
  • 1533-9866
DOI
10.1097/ogx.0000000000000390
OpenAlex
W2575382569
Cited by
31
References
37
Citations by year
2026: 1 · 2025: 1 · 2024: 1 · 2023: 4 · 2022: 5 · 2021: 7 · 2020: 5 · 2019: 4 · 2018: 2 · 2017: 1
FWCI
6.81
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Obstetrical & Gynecological Survey (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Gender Studies › Sexual Assault and Victimization Studies
  • Social Sciences › Health › Intimate Partner and Family Violence
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Sex work and related issues
Keywords
sexual assault, women victims, forensic analysis, sexual assault nurse examiners, revictimization, contraception, sexually transmitted infections, HIV, personal injury, psychological assessment, evidence collection, victim counseling, sexual assault prevalence
MeSH terms
Adult, Female, Forensic Medicine, Humans, Patient Care Management, Pregnancy, Pregnancy, Unwanted, Sex Offenses, Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Stress, Psychological, Women's Health Services, Women's Health, Practice Guidelines as Topic, Crime Victims, Nurse's Role

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