Frequent factors for women and children subjected to sexual assaults presenting at Jinnah Postgraduate Medical center, Karachi

Objectives: To determine the frequent factors in women and children subjected to sexual assaults seeking medical care at Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center, Karachi. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted in the Medico legal Department of Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center, Karachi, Pakistan. Sexual assault victims seeking medical care and medico legal reports from Jan 2007-June 2010 were included in the study. The sampling technique was non-probability purposive. All women were informed regarding the confidentiality of their records and written informed consent was taken. In case of female children the consent was taken from both parents / guardians. The data was analyzed on statistical package for social sciences version 15. Results: There were 180 women and children examined and interviewed after the Sexual assault. The mean age (years) was 19.24±7.33. Mostly reported victims were raped and abused both 162 (90%) and only rape was reported in 18 (10%).The physical, local, Abdominal and Pelvic examination showed fresh act of violence in sexual assault victims in 83 (46.1%) cases. The sexual assault was confirmed in 75 (41.7%) cases. Conclusion: The fresh sexual assault acts confirmed in 41 %. The frequent factors in women and children subjected to sexual assaults were adult women (18-40 Years), two third victims brought by police after 6-24 hours of rape, 90 % reported both sexual assault and physical violence, in two third cases no weapon used and no external marks of body injuries observed.