Study of reporting standards through the implementation of current technology and laboratory experimentation on acute sexual abuse and assault cases

Introduction and Objective: Sexual violence is a gender neutral crime that can be experienced in all age groups. Anyone could be a victim of sexual violence including girls and boys, women, men, the elderly, physically and/ or mentally diasabled; however, as the statistics worldwide considered, it is realized that mostly women and children are the aggrieved party. The study of sexual violence cases is a multiphase process with reference to a long period of time, that takes a sophisticated, exigent as well as sensitive multidisciplinary approach. Having observed cases admitted with the claim of sexual violence, this study aims at the discovery of reporting standards through the implementation of current technology and laboratory experiment, marking the importance of a timely and accurately made medicolegal examination. Materials and Methods: This study examines the characteristics of 203 cases in total, which were directed to our department with allegations of sexual abuse/assault between 2017 and 2019, within the first seven days of the alleged event. Results: As the cases of the alleged victims of sexual violence are examined and evaluated, it is observed that the highest rate of victims are girls between the ages of 15-17; the rate of foreign nationality in the male gender is significantly higher than the female gender; the presence of a history of mutual acquaintance of the victim and the perpetrator by social media is only in the girl/woman group with 20.7%; the perpetrator is already acquainted with the victim in 81.3% of all cases; the rate of physical violence is simultaneously attended by sexual violence in 31% of all cases; the most common type of abuse is vaginal and anal penetration; the positive result rate of the swabs taken within the first 24 hours after the event and in the presence of a vaginal penetration history is significantly high; 100% alcohol/drug is found in toxicological examinations of 16 out of 33 cases alleged with alcohol/drugs use. Conclusion: The study of the cases of sexual violence is a demanding process that begins at the first contact with the patient; and through the judicial proceedings, continues until the treatment as well as completion of rehabilitation of the patient. Maintenance of an accurate study of sexual violence cases, accompanied by prioritizing the medical needs as well as protecting legal rights of the individuals involved, requires a standardized and well-qualified examination and reporting system in accordance with international usage and guidelines.